Liberty Head Half Eagles 1839-1908

About This Series

The longest-running design in U.S. gold coinage history at seventy consecutive years, Christian Gobrecht's Liberty Head half eagle was the workhorse five-dollar denomination produced across seven mints: Philadelphia, Charlotte (C), Dahlonega (D), San Francisco (S), Carson City (CC), New Orleans (O), and Denver (D). Struck in .900 fine gold at 8.359 grams and 21.6 mm, the obverse features Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY surrounded by thirteen stars. The addition of IN GOD WE TRUST in 1866 created distinct Without Motto and With Motto subtypes. Charlotte and Dahlonega issues, struck at Southern branch mints operating 1838-1861 before Confederate seizure, are prized for historical associations and modest mintages. Carson City half eagles from 1870-1893 carry the popular CC mintmark commanding strong premiums. The 1854-S, 1864-S, and 1875 are recognized key dates, with the 1875 Philadelphia surviving in extremely limited numbers.

Series Information