Gold Market Insights

Category: Gold coins and bars

  • ‘Liberty Head’ Gold $5 Half Eagle, 1839 to 1908

    Christian Gobrecht was tapped to design a new version of the coin in 1839. This design is commonly called the Liberty Head, or Coronet Head. The reverse modified eagle from 1813 remained the same, though the 5D inscription was changed to ‘FIVE D’. Coins struck at the mint in Philadelphia contained no silver, consisting of…

  • Classic Head Gold $5 Half Eagle, 1834 to 1838.

    Classic Head Gold $5 Half Eagle, 1834 to 1838.

    The Act of June 28, 1834, called for a reduction in the amount of gold used to make the Half Eagle. Before this time the coin had been worth significantly more than its face value. The act reduced the diameter of the coin to 22.5mm. Composition was changed to .8992 gold and .1008 silver and…

  • Draped Bust Gold $5 Half Eagle, 1807 to 1817.

    Draped Bust Gold $5 Half Eagle, 1807 to 1817.

    John Reich designed the Draped Bust Half Eagle, which was minted from 1807 – 1812. The eagle on the reverse was modified somewhat, and the front image of Liberty is shown wearing a round cap and facing left. The reverse also featured the inscription ‘5D’ to indicate its value, the first time this designation was…

  • Turban Head Gold $5 Half Eagle, 1795 to 1807.

    Turban Head Gold $5 Half Eagle, 1795 to 1807.

    Robert Scot originally designed the Half Eagle. His ‘Turban Head’ design was minted from 1795 – 1798, and contained .9167 percent gold and .0833 percent copper and silver, measuring 25mm in diameter. The coin weighed 8.75 grams and featured the notched edging similar to that seen on modern quarters. The front of the coin depicted…