1879 Liberty Head $5 Half Eagle

1879 Liberty Head $5 half eagle gold coins were produced at the Philadelphia, Carson City (CC), and San Francisco (S) mints. While production of the half eagle began soaring in the late 1870s (mintages for this coin would enter the millions beginning in the 1880s), the Carson City Mint continued a relatively anemic output of these coins. Today, 1879-CC half eagles are considered the scarcest business-strike $5 gold coins for that year.

Here’s a look at the mintages and values of 1879 $5 Liberty Head half eagle gold coins:

• 1879, 301,920 minted; $769

• 1879-CC, 17,281; $1,750

• 1879-S, 426,200; $769

• 1879 proof, 30; $22,500

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

The 1879 half eagles are among the most common $5 gold coins up to that point in history. Still, collectors and bullion investors alike will notice that the values of 1879 half eagles are much higher than the spot price for the intrinsic gold content, which comes to 0.24187 ounces of pure gold per coin. This is due to the fact that 1879 half eagles are still considered relatively scarce and exist in much lower numbers than the mintages above may suggest.

Chief Engraver of the United States Mint Christian Gobrecht designed 1879 Liberty Head half eagles. In addition to designing the Liberty Head half eagle, Gobrecht als served as the third Chief Engraver of the United States Mint and is perhaps most closely associated in general numismatic circles with designing the Seated Liberty coinage of the 19th century.