1853 $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle Gold NGC AU50 About Uncirculated Coin

Product Description

An 1853 (Philadelphia Mint) Liberty Head Half Eagle gold piece graded About Uncirculated 50 (AU-50) by NGC. This piece displays an original deep orange/golden color/tone, light visible luster and excellent visible details. The total mintage for this date & mint mark: 305,770. Please view our photos for additional information and ask any questions prior to purchase.

The Liberty or ‘Coronet’ head half eagle gold piece was a five dollar denomination strike minted by the United States government from 1839 - 1908. Starting in 1839, the half eagle gold denomination was redesigned yet again after scrapping the Classic Head (1834 - 1838) portrait that was designed by William Kneass. Future Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint Christian Gobrecht (who would assume the position not even one year after redesigning the half eagle) implemented his ‘Liberty’ or ‘Coronet’ head design in 1839 which immediately became popular. Retaining almost the same reverse as the previous design, a bald eagle with it’s wings outstretched, the new depiction of Liberty on the obverse featured her profiled bust facing left with her hair coiled up encircled by thirteen stars representing the original colonies, and the date just below the portrait. Unlike the previous ‘Classic Head’ design that displayed the denomination as ‘5 D.’, the new Liberty Head design brandished ‘FIVE D.’ on the reverse. Collectors will note, from 1839 - 1840 the original diameter measured 22.5 mm, however from 1841 until the end of it’s mintage, the Liberty Head half eagle would reduce that number to 21.6 mm. Furthermore, avid collectors of United States gold may find certain pieces minted at the Charlotte and Dahlonega mints contain small amounts of silver due to the ore mined in those regions had high concentrations of silver. In 1866, one last change was made to this pattern. The motto “In God We Trust” was added above the eagle on the reverse which is known as Variety 2. The parameters set for the Liberty/Coronet head half eagle were as follows: .900 gold, .100 copper composition, a net weight of .24187 oz., total weight of 8.359 grams with a diameter of 22.5 mm (1839 - 1840) & 21.6 mm (1840 - 1908) with a reeded edge.

Fun Fact: The $5 Liberty Head half eagle has the distinction of being the only U.S. pattern coin to be minted at seven United States mints: Carson City, Charlotte, Dahlonega, Denver, New Orleans, Philadelphia and San Francisco.