Bill Jones' Gold Type Set
$5 Coronet Head, No Motto (1839-1866)

Owner Comments:

In the late 1830s Christian Gobrecht began to introduce his designs for the $2.50, $5.00 and $10.00 gold coins. Gobrecht’s Coronet Head obverse design featured a bust of Ms. Liberty facing left. It was similar to the motif he had developed for the large cents of the same era. The eagle on the reverse was similar to the bird that had previously appeared on the Classic Head quarter and half eagles except that the wings were held a bit higher.

The motto, “In God we trust,” would not be added to the reverse of these coins until 1866. Five dollars was a great deal of money in the 19th century, and few collectors could afford to set very many of these pieces aside. Therefore strictly Mint State examples of this type are scarce.

The 1857 half eagle is a scarce coin in any condition. Mint State coins are especially scarce with estimated 30 examples known in MS-60 or better. NGC has graded only one example, this piece in MS-63+ and one example in MS-64. The example pictured above has vibrant luster on both sides with no distracting marks or spots.