$5 Half Eagle Liberty Type Gold Coin History:
The $5 Liberty Gold Eagle was first produced shortly before the California gold rush of the 1840s but remained in continuous production until 1908 when it was replaced by the $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle Coin. When it was first produced, the coin’s $5 face value was about in line with the coin’s approximate worth in gold, but now the coin is worth far more than its $5 face value leads you to believe. With its high gold content and extreme value as a collector’s item, it is no wonder these coins are so popular both in the United States and abroad. The $5 Liberty Gold Eagle was designed by Christian Gobrecht, the third Chief Mint Engraver of the US Mint.
$5 Half-Eagle Liberty Head Type Gold Coin Specifications:
- Minted in United States
- Minted from 1839-1908
- Face Value $5
- Purity 0.900 fine pure gold
- Gold content .2419 troy oz.
- Thickness 1.59 mm
- Diameter 21.6 mm
- Known as the Liberty Half-Eagle
- Obverse: Features Lady Liberty with her hair curled above her neck, crowned by a coronet with the word “Liberty.’ She is surrounded by 13 stars representing the 13 original colonies.
- Reverse: Shows a left looking eagle with wings widespread featuring the shield on its breast while holding a bundle of arrows and an olive branch. The eagle is surrounded by “United Sates of America”, “In God We Trust”, and the denomination “Five D.” below it.
Gold coins, like the $5 Liberty Type Gold Coin known as the Liberty Head Half-Eagle, minted in the U.S. prior to 1933 possess not only gold’s tangible value, they also make a brilliant addition to any collection. The appeal of pre-33 gold coins is centered on gold’s reputation for being a sturdy investment, and enhanced by the value of rare and historically significant coinage.
