Vital Stats.
Designer: Christian Gobrecht
Content: 90% gold 10% other
Diameter: 21.65 millimeters
Weight: 8.24 grams
Edge: Reeded
Mint Mark Legend:
1839: Below the date on the obverse.
1840-1908: Below the eagle on the reverse
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Type 1 (1839-1866)
Without Motto
In 1839 Christian Gobrecht redesigned what is now known as the "Libery Head or
"Coronet head" Half Eagle. In his redesign, little was changed to the reverse,
with the notable exception of "5 D." was changed to "Five D.". On the obverse
Liberty retains her classic appearance facing left, hair bundled with a beaded tie,
and two locks of hair cascading down the neck, and her coronet bearing LIBERTY above
the forehead.
The weight of the redesign was 8.359 grams, but the diameter was reduced
to 21.6 mm, in 1840. Half Eagles struck at the Philidephia Mint were .900
gold and .100 copper. However, coins struck at Charlotte and Dahlonega had
a high natural silver content (.050 silver).
In 1854 the San Francisco Mint struck 268 Half Eagles. This issue became
the rarest of the issue with only three known today, two of which are in the Smithsonian.
This design was used for nearly 70 years with a modest change in 1866, "In
God We Trust" was once again placed on the reverse.
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