1862 Liberty Head $5 Half Eagle

1862 Liberty Head $5 half eagle gold coins were made at just two mints, which include the minting facilities in Philadelphia and San Francisco (S). The Charlotte and Dahlonega mints, which had struck Liberty Head half eagles since inception of the design in 1839, no longer produced coinage due to political issues concerning the Civil War. Only the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints would strike $5 gold coins through the remainder of the 1860s, and overall output of the denomination would for years to come fall sharply below the previous figures beginning in 1862.

Here’s a look at the mintages and values of the 1862 $5 Liberty Head half eagle gold coins:

• 1862, 4,430 minted; $2,500

• 1862-S, 9,500; $4,250

• 1862 proof, 35; $35,000

*Values are for coins grading Very Fine 20 unless otherwise stated.

1862 $5 half eagles are exceedingly scarce and are considered much more valuable as numismatic collectibles than bullion coins. These coins also contain a substantial amount of pure gold, which comes to a net total of 0.24187 ounces per coin. As a footnote of interest to coin collectors, Christian Gobrecht designed Liberty Head half eagles. Gobrecht, who served as the third Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, also designed Seated Liberty silver coinage of the 19th century.