Liberty Half Eagle

The $5 Liberty Half Eagle, also known as the Coronet, holds the distinction of being the only coin design minted at seven U.S. Mint facilities: Philadelphia, Dahlonega, Charlotte, New Orleans, San Francisco, Carson City, and Denver. Its composition varied slightly depending on the mint, with coins from Charlotte and Dahlonega displaying a distinctive “green gold” hue due to a higher natural silver content in the ore. Minted from 1839 to 1908, the Liberty Half Eagle design underwent only one notable change—in 1866, the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” was added.

Coins struck before this modification, known as “No Motto” Liberty Half Eagles, were widely used in daily commerce and are difficult to find in high grades today. While many are available in lower circulated grades, gem-quality examples are exceptionally rare. Later “With Motto” Liberty Half Eagles minted after 1866 are more common, though early dates in mint-state condition remain scarce.

Coin Highlights

• Composition: .2688 troy oz of gold (90% purity) and 10% copper alloy
• Weight: 8.359 grams
• Diameter: 21.6 mm
• Designer: Christian Gobrecht (minted from 1839–1908)

History of the $5 Liberty Half Eagle

The Liberty Half Eagle’s design reflects the Neoclassical artistic influences of its creator, Christian Gobrecht, a skilled engraver and sculptor. The obverse features Lady Liberty with her hair tied in a bun and adorned with a coronet inscribed with “LIBERTY.” Thirteen stars, representing the original colonies, encircle her profile, with the date positioned below. The reverse design, largely unchanged since 1807, depicts a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings, clutching arrows and an olive branch.

The rarest “No Motto” Liberty Half Eagle is the 1854-S, with an original mintage of just 268 coins from the San Francisco Mint. Only three specimens are known to exist today, making it a highly prized numismatic treasure. During the Civil War, mintages were low, and widespread hoarding of gold coins further reduced their availability. Most surviving “No Motto” examples are graded EF or AU, while mint-state coins and Proofs are exceptionally rare and highly valuable.

In 1866, following the Civil War, Congress mandated the inclusion of “IN GOD WE TRUST” on all U.S. coinage capable of bearing the inscription. This design modification marked the transition to “With Motto” Liberty Half Eagles, which continued to be minted in smaller quantities through the late 19^th century. Mintages increased significantly after 1878 when the resumption of hard money payments boosted demand. By 1908, over 51.5 million “With Motto” Half Eagles had been struck across various U.S. Mint facilities.

Proof coins from this series are exceptionally rare, with annual mintages ranging from as few as 20 to around 230 pieces. These specimens are considered true treasures among numismatists.

Collectibility and Legacy

The Liberty Half Eagle series is a fascinating choice for collectors, offering opportunities to assemble coins from each of the seven primary U.S. mints (and even an eighth, the West Point Mint, for certain commemorative $5 issues). Despite their historical significance, many rare varieties from Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco are more affordable than their scarcity might suggest.

For those interested in building a type set, the Liberty Half Eagle offers a unique challenge. Its rich history, artistic design, and the opportunity to collect coins from multiple mints make it a cornerstone of American numismatics.

At nearly 70 years of continuous production, the Liberty Half Eagle remains a testament to 19^th-century craftsmanship and the enduring legacy of U.S. coinage.