Numismatic

1894-O $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle AU

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In 1894, the United States Mint branch in New Orleans struck this five-dollar gold piece, a denomination also known as the half eagle. Crafted from 0.900 fine gold, the coin contains 0.2419 troy ounces of precious metal. This specific specimen survived the decades with only light signs of circulation, retaining some of its original mint luster from the day it was struck. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty, created by Christian Gobrecht. Her hair is bound by a band clearly inscribed with the word LIBERTY, and thirteen stars encircle her profile to represent the original colonies. The year 1894 is positioned directly below the portrait. On the reverse, a heraldic eagle stands with a shield protecting its chest. The bird holds the traditional symbols of American power and peace, surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination, FIVE D. The O mint mark below the eagle identifies its historic origin at the New Orleans facility, which produced these gold coins during a manufacturing era spanning from 1838 to 1907.