Numismatic

1878 $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle AU

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Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1878, this gold half eagle represents a classic era of American coinage. With a gold content of 0.2419 troy ounces and a purity of 0.900, the coin is a physical survivor of the late nineteenth century. It has entered the historic record in an Almost Uncirculated state, showing signs of light circulation from its brief time in commerce. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty, her hair bound by a band displaying her name. Thirteen stars encircle the central figure, representing the original colonies. On the reverse, a heraldic eagle guards a shield on its chest, surrounded by the legend United States of America and the five-dollar denomination, abbreviated as Five D. This enduring design by Christian Gobrecht was produced by the United States Mint from 1838 to 1907, making it one of the most recognizable gold motifs in the nation's history. Only 131,720 of these five-dollar pieces were minted in Philadelphia in 1878. Finding one today with such light wear offers a direct window into the post-Civil War era of American currency.