$5 Gold
The five-dollar gold "half eagle" was the first gold denomination struck at the Mint, with the first delivery probably occurring around the end of July 1795. From that time until the demise of the denomination in 1929, seven major designs were used: Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle 1795-1798; Capped Bust Right, Heraldic Eagle 1795-1807; Capped Bust Left 1807-1812; Capped Head Left 1813-1834; Classic Head 1834-1838; Liberty Head 1839-1908; Indian Head 1908-1929. Early dates through 1834 are collected not only by date or type, but by die variety, and there are excellent reference books on the subject. The Classic Head half eagle, like the quarter eagle sporting the same design, is a short-lived type, but remains affordable a very popular with collectors. Liberty Head half eagles were struck with and without the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, the change in design to include the motto occurring in 1866. Advanced type collectors normally include both varieties in their collections. The Indian Head half eagle is extremely popular, with many numismatists assembling complete sets of the series.
Excellent reference books include: EARLY UNITED STATES HALF EAGLES 1795-1838 by Walter Breen; UNITED STATES HALF EAGLE GOLD COINS 1795-1834 by Robert W. Miller, Sr.; GOLD COINS OF THE CHARLOTTE MINT by Douglas Winter; GOLD COINS OF THE DAHLONEGA MINT by Douglas Winter; GOLD COINS OF THE CARSON CITY MINT by Douglas Winter; A GUIDE BOOK OF UNITED STATES COINS by R.S. Yeoman; and the all encompassing COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF U.S. AND COLONIAL COINS by Walter Breen.
Rare Dates: 1795 Small Eagle, 1797 15 and 16 Star Obverses, 1798 Small Eagle, 1815, 1822, 1825/4 Overdate, 1829 Small and Large Dates, 1854-S, 1875, 1887 Proof-Only, 1929.
Famous Issues: 1795 Small Eagle, 1815, 1822, 1825/4 Overdate, 1854-S, 1929. All Charlotte and Dahlonega Mint issues.
A Highlight $5 Gold from our Auctions
1915S NGC 61
