1861 Conway Five Dollar - Ornate 5

Coin Details

Auction Record

$100,000 EF45 11-01-1979 Bowers & Ruddy

Description

The 1861 J.J. Conway & Company Gold Half Eagle with ornate 5 is the most distinctive denomination from this mountain mining camp mint. The "ornate 5" designation refers to a decoratively styled numeral on the reverse that distinguishes this variety from other Conway five-dollar issues. The half eagle was the primary working denomination for Conway's mountain mining clientele. The ornate style of the denomination numeral indicates an artistic ambition that belied the primitive conditions under which these coins were produced at Georgia Gulch. Conway half eagles circulated primarily in the immediate mining region around Georgia Gulch and the surrounding mountain camps. Their acceptance was based more on gold content than brand recognition, as Conway lacked the commercial infrastructure and reputation of the Denver-based Clark Gruber operation.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Conway half eagles with the ornate 5 are estimated at 20-35 surviving examples. Auction prices range from $10,000 to $40,000.

Cross References

Kagin K-2; NGC #31195