1847 $5 Liberty NGC AU55

The 1847 $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle is a classic representation of early American gold coinage, struck at a time when the United States was expanding westward and gold was playing a growing role in trade and commerce. Issued by the Philadelphia Mint, this coin is part of the long-running Liberty Head Half Eagle series, minted from 1839 to 1908.

Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the obverse features the elegant profile of Lady Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed with the word “LIBERTY,” surrounded by 13 stars representing the original colonies. The reverse displays a proud heraldic eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch—symbols of strength and peace—with the denomination “FIVE D.” beneath and the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” encircling the design.

Struck in .900 fine gold, the 1847 Half Eagle contains 0.24187 troy ounces of gold and weighs 8.36 grams. It served as a vital tool for everyday commerce in the mid-19th century, circulating widely in a young nation undergoing rapid transformation. Today, it offers collectors a tangible link to the economic and political developments of the era, including the approach of the California Gold Rush and growing sectional tensions leading to the Civil War.

While not a rare date within the Liberty Head series, the 1847 issue remains popular due to its availability and historical appeal. Surviving examples in higher circulated grades are sought after by collectors of U.S. gold, type coinage, and 19th-century American history.

Whether you are building a type set, collecting by date, or acquiring pre-1933 U.S. gold as a hedge and heritage asset, the 1847 $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle is a strong choice. It blends historical significance, elegant design, and intrinsic value in one timeless coin.

Add a piece of America’s golden legacy to your collection today with this iconic mid-19th-century half eagle.