UNITED STATES $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle GOLD COIN, 1881
Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the $5 Liberty Head ½ Eagle was produced continuously from 1839 to 1908 with each coin containing just under a ¼ ounce of gold.
The obverse design features an idealized bust image of Lady Liberty facing left wearing a coronet with “LIBERTY” inscribed. Above the bust design are 13 stars to represent the original states or colonies.
The reverse features an eagle holding an olive branch in one claw and arrows in the other. A banner is above the eagle design with the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST”. On the outer periphery above the eagle is the legend "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and just below the eagle design is the denomination "FIVE D." A mint mark for New Orleans (O), Charlotte (C), Dahlongea (D) until 1861, San Francisco (S), Carson City (CC), (or from 1906-08) Denver (D) is located at the bottom of the design below the eagle's claws. Coins minted at the Philadelphia Mint carried no mint marks.
Years Minted: 1839-1908
Mints: Philadelphia, Charlotte, Dahlonega, New Orleans, San Francisco, Carson City, Denver
Composition: 0.900 gold, 0.100 copper
Diameter: 22.5 mm (1839-40) 21.6 mm (1840-1908)
Weight: 8.359 grams (.24187 gold ounces)
Total Mintage: 60,617,703
Edge: Reeded