1876 Liberty Head $5 Half Eagle

1876 Liberty Head $5 half eagle gold coins were produced at the Philadelphia, San Francisco (S), and Carson City (CC) mints. The two branch mints, Carson City and San Francisco, struck larger quantities of the 1876 gold half eagle coins than Philadelphia did. Yet, as the data below indicate, Philadelphia half eagles from the year are now the least expensive, which will be explained in further detail momentarily.

Here’s a look at the mintages and values of 1876 $5 Liberty Head half eagle gold coins:

• 1876, 1,432 minted; $1,750

• 1876-CC, 6,887; $4,500

• 1876-S, 4,000; $3,250

• 1876 proof, 45; $20,000

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

While Philadelphia produced the fewest business-strike half eagles in 1876, more Carson City and San Francisco coins were lost in circulation or melted for their gold content. Thus, why the Philadelphia issue is now the least expensive. By no means are any of these 1876 half eagles common though, as all of them are considerably scarce. Given their high price premiums, gold bullion investors don’t normally seek 1876 $5 gold coins for their portfolios, even though these coins contain 0.24187 ounces of pure gold. These beautiful half eagles, which were designed by Chief Engraver of the United States Mint Christian Gobrecht, are far more important as numismatic collectibles than bullion pieces.