Numismatic

1878-S $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle AU

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Struck in the late nineteenth century, this 1878 half eagle represents a classic era of United States gold coinage. Produced at the San Francisco Mint, this five dollar piece is composed of 90 percent gold, containing 0.2419 troy ounces of precious metal. It belongs to a total mintage of 144,700 pieces struck for that year at the western minting facility, making it a compelling survivor of the period. The coin features the iconic artwork of Christian Gobrecht, a design that graced the half eagle denomination from 1838 all the way until 1907. On the obverse, a left-facing portrait of Liberty is encircled by thirteen stars representing the original colonies, with her hair bound by a band clearly inscribed with her name. The reverse displays a proud heraldic eagle bearing a shield across its chest. The bird holds the traditional symbols of national strength and peace, surrounded by the legends indicating the issuing nation, the United States of America, and the five dollar denomination, which is abbreviated at the bottom as Five D.