Numismatic

1856-S $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle XF-40 NGC

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In 1856, the San Francisco Mint struck a limited run of 105,100 gold half eagles, each carrying a face value of five dollars. Crafted from 0.900 fine gold, these coins represent the early years of Western branch minting. This particular specimen has survived the decades to be certified in Extremely Fine 40 (XF-40) condition, preserving the details of its mid-nineteenth-century craftsmanship. The obverse features the classic Liberty Head design, facing left and framed by thirteen stars, with the year 1856 anchored at the bottom. On the reverse, an eagle holds an olive branch and arrows, surrounded by the legend "STATES OF AMERICA" and the denomination "FIVE D." Just below the eagle, the distinct "S" mintmark identifies its origin from the San Francisco facility, making it a compelling piece of early American minting history.