Numismatic

1852 $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle XF

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The 1852 Gold Half Eagle represents a fascinating era of United States coinage. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this five-dollar piece contains 0.2419 troy ounces of gold, minted in an era before the major monetary recalls that saw many of these historic issues melted down. This survivor of mid-nineteenth-century commerce has survived in Extra Fine condition. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht. Her hair is bound by a band clearly inscribed with the word "LIBERTY," and she is encircled by thirteen stars representing the original colonies. The year 1852 is anchored at the bottom of the design. On the reverse, a heraldic eagle stands with a protective shield draped across its chest. The eagle holds the traditional symbols of American sovereignty. Encircling this central motif are the legends "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the abbreviated denomination "FIVE D." This classic design configuration was a staple of American gold coinage, minted continuously from 1838 to 1907.