1859 (C) Liberty Head Half Eagle
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$104,500 MS66 05-01-1995 Stack's
Description
The 1859 (C) Liberty Head Half Eagle is a Gold Half Eagle produced at the Charlotte Mint as part of the Liberty Head Half Eagles 1839-1908 series. With a mintage of 31,847, this is a scarce issue — the highest mintage among 5 variants, accounting for 39% of the year's production. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. Philadelphia, Charlotte, Dahlonega, and San Francisco struck half eagles in the final antebellum years. Struck at the Charlotte Mint in North Carolina, which struck gold coins from 1838 until the Civil War closed it in 1861 — all Charlotte mint coins are scarce. Estimated market value ranges from $4.0K to $47K depending on grade and condition. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 8.36 grams, 21.65 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #8281.
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