The Liberty Head design for the US Eagle denomination was the longest-used visual on the coins. Introduced in 1838, the design was used on the Eagle, Half Eagle, and Quarter Eagle until 1907. The 1857 release of Liberty Gold Half Eagles is a historic date in the series as it is notably remembered for the wreck of the S.S. Central America. Today, 1857 Pre-33 $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagles from the Fairmont Collection are available to you online at JM Bullion.

Coin Highlights:

• Available to you in protective plastic slabs courtesy of the PCGS!
• Issued the same year as the S.S. Central America wreck!
• Repatriated in the Fairmont Collection!
• Fewer than 100,000 coins struck by Philadelphia in 1857!
• Limited availability of certified coins!
• Contains .242 Troy oz of actual gold content.
• The face value of $5 (USD) is fully backed by the US government.
• Graded About Uncirculated 50 by the Professional Coin Grading Service.
• On the obverse is Lady Liberty.
• The reverse features the heraldic eagle.

Although these 1857 Liberty Gold Half Eagles were not on the S.S. Central America, this date mark will forever be associated with the wreck of the infamous gold ship off the coast of South Carolina. Its sinking sent reverberations through the US economy throughout the fall of 1857.

All of these 1857 Pre-33 $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle Coins are in AU50 condition and housed in plastic slabs. AU50 coins are just above the Extremely Fine designation and have extremely light friction on the highest points of the coin, with medium to near-full mint luster possible.

These 1857 $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagles were discovered in the Fairmont Collection, a grouping of US Eagle and Half Eagle gold coins from the 19^th and 20^th centuries that were recently repatriated to the United States in the 2010s following their discovery in European banks. Many of these coins originally made their way overseas as part of international commerce between America and European nations.

On the obverse of 1857 Pre-33 Liberty Gold Half Eagles is the famous Liberty Head design. Created by Christian Gobrecht, this left-profile bust features Liberty with a coronet crown on her head. The reverse side of the 1857 $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle features a heraldic eagle depiction with a smaller US national shield, the arrows of war, and the olive branch of peace.

The 1857 Liberty Gold Half Eagle is rare for its era. The 1856 coin was struck to a volume just below 200,000 coins, while the 1861 coin saw production surge above 688,000. These 1857 specimens, by contrast, were struck at a volume under 100,000.

Please contact JM Bullion if you have any questions when buying gold. Our team is available to you at 800-276-6508, online using our live chat, and via our email address.