Description
Congress authorized the U.S.
Mint to coin the $5.00 gold piece, or Half Eagle, on April 2, 1792. The
first design of the $5.00 gold piece, referred to as the Capped Bust to
Right, Small Eagle, was the first gold coin minted by the United States
government. It is also the only coin in U.S. history to have been
struck at all seven U.S. Mints that were open during its circulation.
The $5.00 gold piece had several design changes throughout its history.
One of the final designs of the $5 gold coin, the Liberty, or Coronet,
design by Christian Golbrecht, was minted from 1839 until 1908 when the
$5 Indian gold coin was introduced.
Design
The obverse of the $5 Liberty is
very similar in design to the $2.50 and $20 Liberty gold coins. As with
these coins, the obverse features Lady Liberty whose tight bun of hair
is adorned with a string of beads. A coronet inscribed with the word
"LIBERTY" rests on top of her head. The date and one star for each of
the thirteen original colonies encircle Liberty's portrait.
The reverse features a proud bald eagle with wings spread, standing
among olive branches. The eagle clinches three arrows in his talons,
and has a shield featuring stars and stripes upon his chest. The words
'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', the denomination, and the Mint Mark
surround the eagle. Coins minted from 1839 through 1866 do not feature
the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST'. In 1866 the reverse was modified by adding
the Motto on a ribbon above the eagle.
Minting Information
The Philadelphia Mint
produced these coins throughout their production run, although minting
slowed somewhat during the Civil War years. This slack was taken up in
part by the San Francisco branch, which also circulated gold coins
during these years. The $5.00 Liberty was also minted at Charlotte,
Dahlonega, and New Orleans. After the motto was added, these coins were
struck at Carson City, and in 1906 and 1907 at the newly opened Denver
Mint. The only other U.S. Mint facility, located at West Point, was not
opened until 1984, almost eighty years after the $5 Liberty was
discontinued.
| Detailed Coin Information |
| Designer: Christian Gobrecht |
| Gross Weight: 8.359g |
Gold Content: 0.24187 oz. |
| Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper |
| Diameter: 22.5mm (1839-40); 21.6mm (1840-1929) |
| Dates: 1840-1907 |
Mints: Carson City (1870-84; 1890-93); Charlotte (1839-44; 1846-61); Dahlonega (1839-61); Denver (1906-07); New Orleans (1840-47*; 1851; 1854-57; 1892-94); Philadelphia (all^); San Francisco (1855-88; 1892-1906)
* only 50 1841-O coins were minted; unconfirmed in any collection. |
