Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issue Dates: 1839-1866
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 22.5 mm (1839-1840); 21.6 mm (1840-1866)
Weight: 8.36 grams (129.01 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 9,114,049

Following the almost complete disappearance of U.S. half eagles in the mid-1830s, the Classic Head design was quickly rushed into production to replenish the supply. It was struck only until 1838, and the following year, Christian Gobrecht’s new Liberty Head design made its appearance. It was a pleasing and clean design, shared with both the quarter eagle and eagle, and with only one minor modification, would continue virtually unchanged for 69 years until 1908.

Today, few collectors attempt a complete set of Liberty half eagles as there are several extremely rare dates – the 1861-D, 1864-S, and one prohibitively rare date, the 1854-S of which a total of two are known.