$5 Liberty
(Also known as the Coronet design)
1839-1908

Mintage:
Head of 1839 (1839): 154,000
No Motto (1840-1866): 9.0 million
With Motto (1866-1908): 51.5 million

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Also refer to General Information on US Gold Coins.

In order for the $5 “half-eagle” to look the same as the $10 “eagle” that made its appearance in 1838, the ‘Liberty’ or ‘Coronet’ half-eagle design was introduced in 1839. The half-eagle was the ‘workhorse’ of gold coins and was minted in large quantities throughout its life. This design was the only coin minted at seven US Mints.

Types: 1) Head of 1839: Coins minted in 1839.  2) No-motto: Coins minted 1840-1866.  Coins with a re-designed Liberty head appeared in 1840.  This re-design was prompted by the re-design of the ‘eagle’.  3) With-motto: Coins minted 1866-1908, which have the motto “In God We Trust” on the reverse.  On November 13, 1861, Rev. M. R. Watkinson of Ridleyville, PA, wrote to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase recommending the addition of a religious motto to US coins.  On March 3, 1865, legislation was enacted that required “the motto ‘In God we trust’ to be placed upon such coins…as shall admit of such legend thereon.”

Mints: Minted in Philadelphia (1839-1908), Charlotte, NC, (1839-1861), Dahlonega, GA (1839-1861), New Orleans (1840-1847, 1851, 1854-1857, 1892-1894), San Francisco (1854-1888, 1892-1906), Carson City, NV, (1870-1884, 1890-1893) and Denver (1906-1907).

Specifications: Size: 22.5 millimeters (1839-40), 21.6 millimeters (1841-1908); Alloy: 90% gold, 10% copper; Weight: 8.359 grams (7.523 grams or 0.242 troy oz. of pure gold).

Back to U.S. Gold Page