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5 Dollar Gold Coin

5 Dollar Gold Coin

5 Dollar Gold Coin

     Students of American minting history will note that silver and gold coins arrived relatively late on the scene.  This is mainly due to a piece of legislation requiring the Assayer and the Chief Coiner to place a bond of $10,000 before creating such coins.  Unfortunately, the first men to hold this position were not able to put up the necessary money, so they had to wait for the required amount to be lowered before coins like the Half Eagle could be made.

Bust Half Eagle (Heraldic Eagle)

      The Half Eagle was worth $5, known as 5 dollar gold coin.  The first one was called the Turban Head Half Eagle Small Eagle, and was designed by Robert Scot.  The Liberty on its obverse wore a turban, fashionable among ladies of the time.  The reverse side design showed a relatively slim, small eagle perched on a branch, wings outstretched, and holding a wreath in its beak.  This type of 5 dollar gold coin is quite rare today.  The Capped Bust, Heraldic Eagle type, which was very similar, except for a larger, stronger-looking eagle, succeeded it.

 

Capped Bust Half Eagle (Draped)

     A German immigrant called John Reich designed the next Half Eagles.  He created the Capped Bust style, in which Liberty faced right and wore a mobcap instead of a turban.  His obverse 5 dollar gold coin design was slightly revised in 1813, moving the stars and showing Liberty only from the neck up, forming the Capped Head style.
 Capped Bust Half Eagle (Large)


     These coins are quite rare, because many of them were melted down for people after their gold content.  Early Half Eagles were also made before laws were passed to decrease the gold in order to discourage profiteering. 

Capped Bust Half Eagle (Small)

 

 

Bust Half Eagle (5 dollar gold coin) Fair Market Values in U.S. Dollars (1795-1798)

Date/TypeG4VG8F12VF20XF40AU50AU53AU55AU58MS60
1795
Sm. Eagle
$8,130$11,060$20,000$26,250$34,380$45,310$49,380$53,130$66,880$81,880
1796/5$9,060$13,130$20,630$26,880$39,380$54,380$58,130$66,880$90,630$109,380
1797 15/Stars--$16,880$26,250$36,880$53,130$93,750$108,130$148,130$175,000$243,750
1797 16/Stars$10,630$15,630$24,380$31,880$48,130$84,380$100,000$137,500$162,500$225,000
1798
Sm. Eagle
--$106,250$150,000$250,000$387,500$487,500$531,250------



Bust Half Eagle (Heraldic Eagle) Fair Market Values in U.S. Dollars (1795-1798)

Date/TypeG4VG8F12VF20XF40AU50AU53AU55AU58MS60
1795
Her. Eagle
----$13,750$18,130$30,630$56,880$61,880$80,630$99,380$120,630
1797/5----$17,190$24,380$36,880$76,880$86,880$112,450$131,250$160,630
1797
16 Star Obv.
--------------------
1798
Sm. 8
$2,500$3,310$6,060$8,560$13,130$17,810$18,750$20,310$27,810$33,130
1798
Lg. 8
13 Stars
$2,310$2,880$4,560$6,060$9,340$14,380$16,880$19,380$21,560$29,380
1798
Lg. 8
14 Stars
--$4,410$7,060$11,060$15,940$26,250$30,310$34,380$60,450$110,630
1799$2,340$3,090$4,440$5,440$8,440$13,130$14,690$17,500$20,940$24,690
1800$2,030$2,690$4,060$4,750$7,500$10,440$10,690$11,560$12,190$14,380
1802/1$2,220$2,940$4,060$4,750$7,500$10,440$10,940$11,440$15,000$16,250
1803/2$2,030$2,660$4,340$4,940$7,500$10,310$10,560$11,440$14,380$15,630
1804 Sm. 8$2,310$2,880$4,190$4,780$7,500$10,310$10,810$12,060$14,380$16,940
1804
Sm. 8/Lg. 8
$2,470$3,060$4,310$5,000$7,750$10,810$11,190$12,810$15,000$18,130
1805$2,090$2,690$4,060$4,750$7,500$10,440$10,780$12,310$14,380$15,630
1806
Pointed Top 6
--$3,160$4,280$5,000$7,750$10,690$11,060$12,940$15,940$17,810
1806
Round Top 6
$2,030$2,630$4,060$4,750$7,500$10,440$10,780$11,880$15,000$15,940
1807
Bust Right
$2,030$2,630$4,060$4,750$7,500$10,310$10,560$11,690$12,810$14,380



Capped Bust Half Eagle (Draped) Fair Market Values in US Dollars (1807-1812)

Date/TypeG4VG8F12VF20XF40AU50AU53AU55AU58MS60
1807 Bust Left$1,030$1,380$3,130$4,190$5,630$8,940$9,690$11,060$11,560$12,500
1808/7--$1,530$3,130$4,090$5,630$8,560$9,190$10,560$14,190$15,440
1808$1,060$1,380$3,130$4,000$5,500$8,910$9,440$11,060$14,060$14,810
1809/8$1,000$1,340$3,130$4,000$5,590$8,910$9,440$11,560$13,750$15,310
1810 Sm. Date Sm. 5--$8,560$11,250$22,500$35,630$58,130$61,880$66,880----
1810 Sm. Date Tall 5--$1,500$3,220$4,000$5,500$8,560$9,190$10,310$12,810$13,560
1810 Lg. Date Sm. 5--$11,880$15,940$23,130$44,380$68,130$85,630------
1810 Lg. Date Lg. 5--$1,410$3,130$4,060$5,500$8,060$9,060$10,560$12,060$15,000
1811$1,000$1,340$3,130$4,000$5,940$8,690$8,940$10,440$12,940$13,750
1812--$1,380$3,130$4,000$6,060$8,910$9,440$10,690$11,810$13,750



Capped Bust Half Eagle (Large) Fair Market Values in U.S. Dollars (1813-1829)

Date/TypeG4VG8F12VF20XF40AU50AU53AU55AU58MS60
1813$1,110$1,470$3,280$3,940$6,250$9,060$9,310$10,000$11,250$12,810
1814/3$1,290$1,710$3,560$4,220$8,750$9,410$9,690$10,310$13,130$14,060
1815--$22,200$34,690$50,630$162,500$182,000$187,500$200,000$221,000$225,000
1818$1,110$1,620$5,310$6,560$10,940$11,440$11,810$13,130$16,690$20,630
1818 5D/50--$2,100$5,810$7,090$11,940$12,440$13,440$14,690$17,310$22,810
1819----$12,500$20,310$51,880$56,880$60,940$65,630$69,380$75,000
1819 5D/50----$8,440$15,630$40,630$43,130$44,690$50,050$56,250$79,380
1820$1,110$1,470$3,280$3,940$11,410$11,810$12,310$12,810$13,130$13,750
1821--------$46,880$50,630$54,380$68,130$90,630$109,380
1822----$718,750$1,125,000------------
1823$1,380$1,890$3,470$4,530$11,190$13,130$14,060$14,810$17,310$20,940
1824--$4,620$7,090--$29,380$31,560$33,130$34,380$37,500$44,380
1825/1--$4,800$7,310$10,630$23,750$24,810$25,440$32,810$39,810$46,880
1825/4--------$656,250$781,250$843,750$862,500--$906,250
1826--------$18,560$19,690$23,130$30,630$34,380$40,630
1827--------$24,690$25,440$25,940$26,880$29,060$39,380
1828/7--------$70,630$73,130$76,880$84,380----
1828--------$33,130$35,630--------
1829
Lg. Date
------$50,000$79,380----------



Capped Bust Half Eagle (Small) Fair Market Values in U.S. Dollars (1829-1834)

Date/TypeG4VG8F12VF20XF40AU50AU53AU55AU58MS60
1829 Sm. Date--------------------
1830$3,600$6,190$17,060$29,630$47,310$54,250$57,060$59,810$64,690$67,500
1831--$6,560$17,190$29,810------------
1832 12 Stars--------------------
1832 13 Stars$3,420$5,840$17,060$29,630$47,310$54,250$57,060$60,630$64,690$70,630
1833 Lg. Date--$6,690$17,310$29,690$47,310$54,250$56,250$58,130$60,630$62,500
1833 Sm. Date--------------------
1834 Bust Left Pl. 4--$7,500$17,500$29,810$47,310$54,380$57,190$60,440$65,630$68,130
1834 Bust Left Cr. 4------$35,630$53,130$56,880$58,750$62,500$73,130$78,130

 

Bust Half Eagles on eBay

1803/2 PCGS F15 CAC Capped or Draped Bust to Right $5 five dollar EARLY GOLD  PQ 1803/2 PCGS F15 CAC Capped or Draped Bust to Right $5 five dollar EARLY GOLD PQ Paypal US $6,249.00 20h 18m
1806 pt 6  RARE VAR. Capped Bust to Right NGC F12 CAC  $5 gold piece OLD HOLDER 1806 pt 6 RARE VAR. Capped Bust to Right NGC F12 CAC $5 gold piece OLD HOLDER Paypal US $6,999.00 20h 23m
1810 LG Date LG 5 Capped Bust 5 Dollar Gold Coin NGC Graded MS60 1810 LG Date LG 5 Capped Bust 5 Dollar Gold Coin NGC Graded MS60 Paypal 0 Bid US $11,500.00 21h 15m
1808 Uncirculated Capped Bust $5 Gold 55,587 minted  140 Unc *RARE* 1808 Uncirculated Capped Bust $5 Gold 55,587 minted 140 Unc *RARE* Paypal US $8,599.99 1d 19h 5m
1997 W $5 GOLD F.D. ROOSEVELT PROOF NGC PF70 1997 W $5 GOLD F.D. ROOSEVELT PROOF NGC PF70 Paypal 0 Bid US $499.00 2d 13h 11m

 

     When the first gold coins were minted in the United States, they quickly fell victim to people who wanted to capitalize on their intrinsic value. Therefore, after the first third of the 19th century, the gold content of these coins was reduced in order to discourage such practices.  The Classic Head Half Eagle is part of this new breed of 5 dollar gold coin. 

Classic Head Half Eagle

     Designed by William Kneass, the coin was made of a combination of gold and copper.  The left-facing Liberty on the obverse had strong, almost masculine features.  Her hair was kept in place by a headband with the word “liberty” written on it.  The other side of 5 dollar gold coin showed a relatively small eagle, which bore a shield, and carried arrows and an olive branch.  This eagle was thought to look too weak to be an appropriate national symbol, and was a source of criticism.  Actually, the Classic Head Half Eagles saw many minor revisions throughout their production, which is why so many varieties exist to  choose from.
This 5 dollar gold coin is quite popular or sought-after among collectors.  Firstly, it is quite rare because it continued to be passed around for many years after it stopped being minted, which is why you cannot count on huge government or private stockpiles.  In addition, there is a range of prices.  The very good examples may only be accessible to very wealthy collectors, but people on a more average budget will still be able to invest in coins with lower ratings.

 

 

Classic Head Half Eagle Values in U.S. Dollars (1834-1838)

Date/TypeG4VG8F12VF20XF40AU50AU53AU55AU58MS60
1834 Cl. Plain 4$300$344$450$600$790$1,220$1,380$1,590$2,160$4,440
1834 Cl. Crosslet 4--$750$1,060$2,030$3,910$5,880$7,340$9,440$18,130$24,380
1835$300$344$469$630$840$1,530$1,630$1,880$3,190$4,630
1836$312$350$475$600$940$1,340$1,530$1,810$2,340$4,690
1837$300$344$469$660$1,000$1,750$1,910$2,090$3,750$4,690
1838$300$344$440$650$940$1,660$1,840$1,940$2,880$4,690
1838 C----$1,440$3,750$6,780$11,560$15,000$19,060$27,940$44,380
1838 D--$920$1,280$2,310$4,940$8,310$9,060$11,440$20,940$28,130

 

 

Classic Head Half Eagles on eBay

1838 $5 PCGS AU53 Classic Head Half Eagle Gold 1838 $5 PCGS AU53 Classic Head Half Eagle Gold Paypal US $2,150.00 10h 29m
1835 Classic Head $5 Half Eagle PCGS AU Details 1835 Classic Head $5 Half Eagle PCGS AU Details Paypal 0 Bid US $499.00 21h 42m
1838 NGC XF45 $5 Classic Head Gold * Free Shipping * Bold Strike * Lovely Coin * 1838 NGC XF45 $5 Classic Head Gold * Free Shipping * Bold Strike * Lovely Coin * Paypal US $1,300.00 1d 15h 34m
1838 $5 GOLD CLASSIC HEAD AU50 NGC 1838 $5 GOLD CLASSIC HEAD AU50 NGC Paypal US $1,650.00 1d 15h 58m
1838 RARE NEARLY AU GOLD $5 CLASSIC HEAD HALF-EAGLE!   [212] 1838 RARE NEARLY AU GOLD $5 CLASSIC HEAD HALF-EAGLE! [212] Paypal US $1,395.00 1d 18h 10m


 

     The Coronet Half Eagle was designed by Christian Gobrecht, and have one of the longest life-spans among American gold coins. Its obverse side shows Liberty facing to the left, surrounded by stars representing the states.  She wears her hair tied in a bun by a string of beads, and held back from her face with a coronet on which is written the word “liberty.”  The reverse side of the coin shows an eagle very similar to that on the coin’s predecessor.  However, Gobrecht widened the wingspan slightly to make for an image of an eagle that would be more acceptable to a patriotic public. 

Coronet Half Eagle

     The 5 dollar gold coin also experienced some changes in its design over its life span, some of which were due to socio-cultural shifts in American life.  For instance, he hardships and destruction of the Civil War helped fuel a rise in religious feeling.  This was reflected in a law passed in 1865 that required “In God We Trust” to be placed on all American coins.  Thus, all Coronet Half Eagles made in 1866 and onwards have this motto stamped on them.  James Longacre, who was to be an influential figure himself in American minting, was in charge of revising the coin’s design to include this motto.


     The rarity and value of 5 dollar gold coin varies widely from minting year to minting year.  For instance, coins minted from 1878 to 1882 are relatively common, because national mints created more coins due to a policy that then allowed people to exchange their paper money for metal coins.

 

 

Grading Five Dollar Gold Coins

 

 

 

Liberty Five Dollar Gold Coin Values in U.S. Dollars (1877-1908)

Date/TypeG4VG8F12VF20XF40AU50AU53AU55AU58MS60PR60
Liberty Head No Motto
1839--$306$363$400$630$1,080$1,410$1,530$2,940$3,660--
1839 C----$810$2,190$4,030$6,250$7,720$9,440$11,690$25,630--
*1839 D$1,020$1,170$1,380$2,030$3,910$7,500$10,190$13,310$16,880$23,440--
1840$280$306$363$400$531$1,380$1,500$1,590$2,160$3,440--
1840 C----$519$1,690$2,780$5,630$6,690$8,690$10,560$25,000--
1840 D--$570$840$1,280$2,660$4,810$6,560$7,380$12,810$14,380--
1840 O--$306$363$525$910$1,750$2,160$3,030$3,660$9,690--
1841--$306$363$450$940$1,470$2,190$2,690$3,220$4,940--
1841 C----$481$1,160$2,220$4,030$5,940$7,690$9,810$17,190--
1841 D----$444$1,130$2,160$3,470$4,030$7,410$8,940$12,810--
1842 Sm. Letters$280$306$363$790$1,560$3,560$5,410$6,060$9,190$12,310--
1842 Lg. Letters----$550$1,130$2,340$3,000$3,970$5,690$6,910$11,690--
1842 C Sm. Date--------$26,880$33,130$38,750$65,630$70,630$95,550--
1842 C Lg. Date----$456$1,590$2,310$3,130$4,780$7,190$9,060$15,630--
1842 D Sm. Date----$630$1,340$2,060$2,940$3,310$4,030$6,810$15,000--
1842 D Lg. Date------$3,940$6,560$14,440$19,690$22,810$27,310$48,750--
1842 O----$750$1,500$5,690$11,690$13,590$15,690$16,880$17,970--
1843$280$306$363$400$425$438$450$475$710$1,690--
1843 C----$488$1,310$2,060$4,190$5,970$6,440$7,530$12,810--
1843 D----$563$1,190$2,000$3,220$3,440$4,060$6,060$12,500--
1843 O Sm. Letters----$375$410$1,530$2,910$3,530$7,220$13,310$16,880--
1843 O Lg. Letters$280$306$363$400$1,060$2,060$3,130$3,910$5,810$12,190--
1844$280$306$363$400$425$450$469$500$660$1,750--
1844 C------$1,220$3,160$5,190$6,190$6,690$10,810$16,940--
1844 D----$563$1,190$2,190$2,750$3,590$4,440$5,940$10,310--
1844 O$280$306$363$419$500$640$680$1,160$2,160$4,310--
1845$280$306$363$400$413$450$468$550$810$1,810--
1845 D------$970$1,940$2,910$3,280$4,190$6,160$9,060--
1845 O--$306$375$425$920$2,690$4,060$5,310$7,940$10,940--
1846$280$306$363$400$425$469$500$550$840$1,880--
1846 C----$880$1,380$2,780$6,560$8,690$9,690$10,560$15,310--
1846 D----$535$970$2,310$2,940$4,220$4,810$7,380$10,530--
1846 O--$306$363$438$1,280$3,910$4,560$5,810$6,690$9,280--
1847$280$306$363$400$413$450$475$525$670$1,780--
1847 C----$544$1,160$2,130$3,160$3,340$5,060$7,910$10,310--
1847 D----$630$1,130$1,780$2,780$3,470$4,220$6,400$7,660--
1847 O----$730$2,340$6,440$11,880$13,310$16,560------
1848$280$306$363$400$413$438$500$575$750$1,750--
1848 C--$510$640$1,280$2,340$3,090$3,940$5,160$8,190$23,130--
1848 D$720$810$940$1,190$2,160$3,780$4,090$5,190$8,690$12,500--
1849$280$306$363$400$413$660$770$1,160$1,310$3,470--
1849 C----$940$1,310$2,090$2,780$3,310$4,560$7,030$10,560--
1849 D----$960$1,380$2,250$3,380$3,590$6,060$8,940$15,630--
1850--$306$363$406$575$910$1,000$1,220$1,940$4,500--
1850 C------$1,190$2,340$3,090$3,410$4,160$5,310$12,500--
1850 D------$1,220$2,810$3,810$5,310$6,440$9,560$22,500--
1851$280$306$363$400$413$438$450$475$950$2,780--
1851 C------$970$1,940$3,190$4,380$5,340$6,470$12,190--
1851 D----$469$940$2,030$2,560$4,940$6,690$9,130$13,130--
1851 O----$388$780$1,660$3,530$4,810$6,190$10,180$15,940--
1852$280$306$363$400$413$450$463$475$660$1,630--
1852 C--$342$395$730$1,940$2,840$3,280$3,560$4,060$5,310--
1852 D--$570$910$1,440$2,190$3,030$3,590$4,720$5,940$8,440--
1853$280$306$363$400$413$438$450$469$630$1,750--
1853 C------$940$1,720$2,630$3,560$4,090$5,310$8,060--
1853 D--$342$375$660$2,130$2,810$3,410$3,970$5,940$8,750--
1854$280$306$363$400$425$500$550$780$970$1,970--
1854 C----$575$810$2,500$4,060$4,660$5,310$6,410$13,130--
1854 D----$513$750$1,380$2,500$3,060$4,060$6,030$7,500--
1854 O--$306$375$425$575$1,280$1,560$1,660$3,720$8,130--
1854 S----------$225,000$256,250$281,250------
1855$280$306$363$400$450$475$550$660$790$1,750--
1855 C----$575$1,220$2,030$3,560$4,560$5,500$11,190$12,500--
1855 D----$690$1,340$1,940$4,190$4,500$4,840$7,310$20,000--
1855 O--$360$474$960$3,060$4,560$5,590$5,970$12,940$23,130--
1855 S$280$306$363$475$1,250$2,160$2,660$4,410$6,050$17,190--
1856$280$306$363$400$413$438$475$525$970$2,130--
1856 C----$1,500$1,880$2,660$3,500$4,190$6,250$7,470$15,630--
1856 D----$1,380$1,660$2,190$3,750$4,560$4,940$7,060$8,940--
1856 O----$575$810$2,060$3,560$4,840$6,410$8,130$14,690--
1856 S$280$306$363$400$690$1,030$1,440$1,720$3,590$6,090--
1857$280$306$363$400$413$438$475$600$740$2,000--
1857 C----$500$1,090$1,530$2,910$3,440$3,940$5,560$9,500--
1857 D------$1,030$1,970$3,910$6,810$7,310$8,940$12,810--
1857 O------$1,090$1,690$4,810$6,000$7,000$9,000$23,000--
1857 S--$306$363$425$690$1,310$1,560$1,970$4,690$8,560--
1858$280$306$363$450$660$1,080$1,170$1,340$2,280$3,340--
1858 C----$690$1,090$2,030$2,970$3,660$4,160$6,190$10,810--
1858 D----$600$970$1,470$3,000$3,810$4,410$7,310$11,250--
1858 S--$600$750$1,190$2,810$3,970$7,060$8,440$18,130$23,130--
1859$280$306$363$419$630$790$940$1,410$2,560$5,940--
1859 C$600$660$780$1,060$2,280$3,060$3,970$5,810$8,280$13,130--
1859 D----$810$1,160$2,750$4,060$5,000$6,060$6,560$13,750--
1859 S$690$780$970$1,440$4,590$5,660$6,810$8,690$13,440$20,630--
1860--$306$363$425$840$1,000$1,210$1,560$2,250$3,590$14,190
1860 C------$1,530$2,470$4,060$4,660$6,030$7,880$13,440--
1860 D----$730$1,040$2,340$3,160$3,590$6,060$8,750$15,630--
1860 S----$650$1,090$2,440$6,530$7,030$10,430$14,090----
1861$280$306$363$400$425$500$538$575$780$1,910$14,190
1861 C------$2,190$5,660$7,440$9,060$11,690$18,440$28,130--
1861 D----$4,380$8,440$11,250$23,440$26,880$29,380$43,130$63,130--
1861 S----$599$1,090$3,970$8,690$9,660$12,310$18,440$37,500--
1862----$710$1,030$2,190$4,090$6,250$7,190$8,440$19,380$14,190
1862 S--$1,110$1,590$3,220$6,720$10,660$13,440$15,630$31,250$56,880--
1863----$630$1,800$3,750$8,440$9,720$10,530$14,060$29,380$14,380
1863 S--$510$970$1,590$3,940$8,750$9,720$12,060$19,380$37,500--
1864----$480$810$1,780$3,560$4,720$5,530$7,160$17,810$13,750
1864 S--$2,590$3,750$9,810$16,880$46,250$48,130$54,380$62,500$71,880--
1865----$600$1,810$5,310$10,000$15,310$16,880$18,310$26,250$13,750
1865 S----$690$1,160$2,340$5,310$6,220$8,440$11,250$18,750--
1866 S No Motto$480$860$1,030$1,810$6,060$12,060$13,560$14,380$18,750$43,750--
Liberty Head With Motto
1866----$780$1,030$1,940$3,380$3,880$4,940$6,090$13,130$9,310
1866 S With Motto$420$510$780$1,110$2,780$8,060$8,690$11,880$18,750$28,130--
1867$282$312$390$730$1,690$3,030$3,810$4,470$6,880$12,810$13,130
1867 S$570$660$960$1,470$2,720$8,410$8,910$10,730$18,750----
1868--$286$390$710$1,090$2,910$3,470$4,220$7,840----
1868 S--$286$330$500$1,470$2,810$3,410$4,530$8,440$17,230--
1869------$1,190$2,190$4,190$4,470$4,940$8,530$19,060--
1869 S----$630$810$1,560$3,220$5,780$6,530$9,810$24,380--
1870----$390$880$1,880$2,660$3,560$5,310$7,690$18,130--
*1870 CC$3,900$4,690$5,590$8,310$19,690$29,380$35,810$43,550$70,850$94,250--
1870 S--$390$510$810$2,500$6,440$8,190$10,440------
1871----$456$880$1,840$2,910$3,220$3,910$5,660$12,810--
1871 CC$510$600$930$2,340$5,060$11,440$14,810$18,130$30,310$44,690--
1871 S--$330$342$513$1,160$3,310$4,190$4,940$8,440$13,130--
1872--$360$456$910$1,750$3,190$3,910$4,780$7,690$11,250$7,190
1872 CC$480$660$1,140$2,470$9,690$16,060$19,380$29,380$40,630----
1872 S--$318$330$550$880$3,220$3,440$4,060$8,750----
1873 Closed 3--$286$328$358$384$414$426$475$540$940--
1873 Open 3$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$402$475$690--
*1873 CC$1,500$2,550$3,560$4,940$14,060$28,130$30,630$33,440$45,630$55,630--
1873 S----$420$640$1,190$2,440$3,090$5,310$9,940$16,880--
1874--$335$390$660$1,220$2,090$2,590$3,340$5,190$12,060--
1874 CC$300$480$700$1,310$2,310$7,190$10,940$16,560$21,450----
1874 S$330$390$450$690$2,090$4,090$4,560$6,090$9,910----
1875----$25,000$35,630$40,630$49,380$55,250$79,380------
1875 CC$420$600$1,110$2,190$6,780$11,810$12,310$14,380$20,310$31,880--
1875 S$300$510$575$980$3,030$4,690$5,340$7,090$13,130$19,440--
1876----$720$940$2,130$5,030$5,130$5,530$7,690$13,440--
1876 CC----$780$2,030$4,690$12,500$15,630$18,440------
1876 S----$880$1,780$4,940$7,220$7,940$10,060------
1877----$480$990$2,190$3,780$4,690$5,310$7,810$10,940--
1877 CC$780$1,050$1,140$1,880$4,530$9,560$9,810$12,310$21,880$43,750--
1877 S$268$286$328$390$690$1,250$2,030$2,810$5,310$9,060--
1878$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$400$408$462--
1878 CC--$1,830$2,010$4,030$7,190$18,130$22,190$29,060$37,500----
1878 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$398$404$450$750--
1879$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$404$413$481--
1879 CC$390$480$660$1,260$2,250$3,720$5,190$8,280$11,060$18,130---
1879 S$268$286$328$358$370$396$425$438$450$750--
1880$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$5,190
1880 CC--$300$432$540$1,020$1,690$2,470$4,060$6,030$9,160--
1880 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1881$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1881/0--$286$328$390$630$720$810$890$980$1,280--
1881 CC$300$450$510$930$2,060$6,250$7,310$9,660$12,310$25,680--
1881 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1882$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$5,130
1882 CC$300$330$390$540$690$900$1,280$2,220$4,280$6,880--
1882 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1883$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,690
1883 CC$300$390$480$630$1,410$3,500$4,840$7,190$10,810$20,630--
1883 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$408$480$810--
1884$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$600$5,630
1884 CC$300$312$360$575$1,380$2,880$3,500$5,460$10,940$15,940--
1884 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1885$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,940
1885 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1886$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$5,590
1886 S--$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462-
1887 Proof Only----------$15,000----$24,380$30,630--
1887 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1888$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$408$420$540$4,910
1888 S$268$286$328$358$370$420$438$481$575$1,030--
1889$268$286$328$378$462$510$540$600$720$1,310$4,910
1890--$286$342$390$550$615$660$1,090$1,310$2,440$4,780
1890 CC$300$330$342$480$540$750$790$910$1,090$1,410--
1891$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$420$481$4,940
1891 CC$300$312$342$462$575$780$840$880$930$1,280
1892$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,780
1892 CC--$312$360$462$570$740$810$980$1,160$1,750--
1892 O----$414$600$980$2,060$2,070$2,340$2,840$5,190--
1892 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$413$575--
1893$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,780
1893 CC$300$330$342$462$522$910$930$1,010$1,190$1,750--
1893 O$268$286$328$358$370$408$432$525$600$1,030--
1893 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$413$481--
1894$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,940
1894 O$268$286$328$378$420$480$600$660$880$1,310--
1894 S$268$286$328$378$400$538$600$690$860$2,500--
1895$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,810
1895 S$268$286$328$358$370$408$438$575$810$2,060--
1896$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,810
1896 S$268$286$328$358$370$402$408$444$550$1,190--
1897$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,810
1897 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$408$450$720--
1898$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,780
1898 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1899$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,720
1899 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1900$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,690
1900 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1901$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,690
1901 S 1/0$268$286$328$372$384$396$408$420$432$462--
1901 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1902$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,690
1902 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1903$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,720
1903 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$480--
1904$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,690
1904 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$408$450$1,110--
1905$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,780
1905 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$431$481--
1906$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,690
1906 D$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1906 S$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1907$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462$4,750
1907 D$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--
1908$268$286$328$358$370$376$382$388$396$462--

 

Coronet Half Eagles on eBay


 

     Bela Lyon Pratt designed the Indian Half Eagle.  The same design was also used concurrently on the Quarter Eagle coin.  Pratt’s design was quite unusual, even by modern perspectives.  These unique qualities made the coin unpopular in its own time, but attractive to collectors today. 

Five Dollar Indian Gold Coin

     First of all, the coin’s main design features (the Native American chief on the obverse and the eagle on the back) are recessed into the metal, instead of standing out of a flat background, as they normally do.  This looks quite innovative to modern eyes, but at the time prevented the coin from stacking easily, and also made people anxious that dirt (and therefore disease) might collect in the recesses and be passed along.  Despite widespread criticism rooted in causes both reasonable and unreasonable, production of this coin pushed through, largely because of the personal support of President Theodore Roosevelt.  In the end, it took the Great Depression, that phenomenon that revolutionized monetary and fiscal policy the world over, to stop the production of this coin, the last of the surprisingly resilient $5 Half Eagle coins.

     If you are interested in owning a coin that is fundamentally different from others, look no further.  The Half Eagle and Quarter Eagle designed by Pratt were so unusual that people simply did not know how to handle them.  However, you, as a collector, will not be needing to handle these coins for transaction, so you can enjoy their artistic merit and innovation without having to worry about any practical disadvantages.

     This coin had a sadly short life-span, so one might have a hard time finding “key year” coins to invest in.  Even so, there are some Indian Half Eagles that are a particularly good investment, based on their price trends over several decades.

 

 

Grading Five Dollar Indian Gold Coins

 

 

Indian Head Five Dollar Gold Values in U.S. Dollars (1908-1929)

Date/TypeG4VG8F12VF20XF40AU50AU53AU55AU58MS60
1908$298$322$358$370$382$400$406$412$462$540
1908 Proof------------------$4,710
1908 D$298$322$358$370$382$400$406$412$474$588
1908 S$298$322$358$370$456$504$530$680$970$1,470
1909$298$322$358$370$382$400$406$412$432$528
1909 Proof------------------$4,710
1909 D$298$322$358$370$382$400$406$412$432$516
1909 O--$750$960$2,220$4,620$7,380$8,880$10,720$15,940$29,060
1909 S$298$322$358$370$382$414$438$504$780$1,630
1910$298$322$358$370$382$400$406$412$480$528
1910 Proof------------------$4,710
1910 D$298$322$358$370$382$400$406$412$474$528
1910 S$298$322$358$370$382$432$450$474$720$1,250
1911$298$322$358$370$382$400$406$412$432$528
1911 Proof------------------$4,710
1911 D$298$322$358$450$528$780$1,080$1,500$2,630$4,740
1911 S$298$322$358$370$382$426$438$481$575$780
1912$298$322$358$370$382$400$406$412$462$528
1912 Proof------------------$4,710
1912 S$298$322$358$370$402$420$444$550$840$1,750
1913$298$322$358$370$382$400$406$412$468$528
1913 Proof------------------$4,710
1913 S$298$322$358$370$414$432$480$600$760$1,500
1914$298$322$358$370$382$400$406$412$492$528
1914 Proof------------------$4,710
1914 D$298$322$358$370$382$400$406$420$492$588
1914 S$298$322$358$370$396$420$438$546$810$1,500
1915$298$322$358$370$382$400$406$412$462$528
1915 Proof------------------$4,710
1915 S$298$322$358$396$414$468$510$588$1,000$2,160
1916 S$298$322$358$370$382$414$450$462$630$690
*1929$2,220$2,940$4,050$6,660$11,340$12,900$13,500$15,000$16,500$18,130

 

 

Indian Head Half Eagles on eBay

1909D Indian Head Half Eagle U.S. Gold Coin (Five Dollar Gold Piece) 1909D Indian Head Half Eagle U.S. Gold Coin (Five Dollar Gold Piece) Paypal US $1,500.00 17m
1911 United States Indian Head Half Eagle $5 Five Dollars Gold Coin 1911 United States Indian Head Half Eagle $5 Five Dollars Gold Coin Paypal US $549.00 10h 32m
1916-S $5 GOLD INDIAN MS62+ PCGS ~ CAC 1916-S $5 GOLD INDIAN MS62+ PCGS ~ CAC Paypal US $4,150.00 11h 39m
1909-D Indian Head GOLD Half Eagle $5 Coin VERY FINE 1909-D Indian Head GOLD Half Eagle $5 Coin VERY FINE Paypal US $565.00 12h 13m
$5, Half Eagle, 1912, Indian Head MS63 NGC # 3167361-012 $5, Half Eagle, 1912, Indian Head MS63 NGC # 3167361-012 Paypal 0 Bid US $1,635.00 12h 58m