Numismatic

1861 $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle AU-58 NGC

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This gold coin, minted in the crucial year of 1861, contains 0.2419 ounces of pure gold. It represents a significant era in American numismatic history, characterized by the absence of a religious motto on the reverse. The design is a classic representation of nineteenth-century American coinage, showcasing the Liberty portrait on one side and a heraldic eagle on the other. The obverse features a profile of Liberty, her hair bound by a band clearly inscribed with her name, encircled by thirteen stars representing the original colonies. On the reverse, a heraldic eagle guards a shield on its chest, surrounded by the words United States of America and the five-dollar denomination. While the Philadelphia Mint was the primary producer of these coins, other facilities in Carson City, Charlotte, Denver, Dahlonega, New Orleans, and San Francisco also struck them. In particular, those originating from the Charlotte and Dahlonega mints are considered exceptionally scarce today. This specific piece has been certified in About Uncirculated 58 condition, preserving the intricate details of its mid-nineteenth-century craftsmanship.