Numismatic

1855-C $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle XF-45 PCGS

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In 1855, the United States Mint produced a gold five-dollar piece that remains a captivating example of mid-nineteenth-century American coinage. This Liberty Gold Half Eagle is struck from 0.900 fine gold, containing 0.2419 troy ounces of the precious metal. It represents a fascinating era of regional minting, bearing the distinct character of the Charlotte Mint in North Carolina. The obverse of the coin displays a classic left-facing profile of Lady Liberty. Her hair is styled in a neat bun, secured with a coronet that proudly displays her name. This portrait, created by Christian Gobrecht, is framed by thirteen stars representing the original colonies, with the date 1855 positioned clearly at the bottom. On the reverse, Gobrecht's detailed heraldic eagle dominates the design. The eagle is depicted with wings outstretched, holding a shield across its chest. In its talons, it clasps an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, representing the dual national ideals of peace and defense. This specimen has been certified and graded as Extremely Fine 45 (XF-45), preserving the intricate details of this historic gold issue for modern observers to appreciate.