Numismatic

1861 $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle AU-53 NGC

---

Struck in the crucial year of 1861, this five-dollar gold piece represents a fascinating moment in American history. Produced at the main United States Mint in Philadelphia, this coin was minted without a mint mark, which was the standard practice for the facility at the time. A total of 688,084 of these half eagles were struck, each containing 0.2419 troy ounces of gold with a purity of 90 percent. The obverse of the coin features the classic Liberty design, wearing a coronet inscribed with the word LIBERTY, surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original colonies, with the date 1861 positioned below. The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with a shield on its breast, clutching an olive branch and arrows in its talons. Surrounding the eagle are the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination FIVE D. This specific coin has survived the decades in remarkable condition, certified by professional graders at the About Uncirculated 53 (AU-53) level. This grade indicates that while the coin saw light circulation, it still retains much of its original detail and design definition, offering a tangible connection to the mid-nineteenth century.