Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issue Dates: 1866-1908
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 21.6 mm
Weight: 8.36 grams (129.01 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 51,503,654
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.
The one modification to the Liberty Head half eagle occurred following the Civil War, when the motto “In God We Trust” was added in a ribbon above the eagle on the reverse. Aside from that, the weight, fineness and other design elements were unchanged.
Today, few collectors attempt a complete set of Liberty half eagles as there are several extremely rare dates like the 1870-CC and the 1875. After 1878 however, things improve and while some of the CC mint coins are scarce and costly in high grade, lower grade specimens are both affordable and available.
