1891 Fairmont Collection Coins

In 1891, the United States was in the midst of the Gilded Age. The nation was still undergoing rapid industrialization, massive immigration that boosted the population of major cities, and economic growth. Other events to occur in the United States in 1891 included the Sherman Antitrust Act taking effect and the formation of the Populist Party. The Sherman Antitrust Act was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1890 and came into effect in 1891. It was the first federal antitrust law in the United States and was designed to combat monopolistic business practices and promote fair competition. In 1891, the Populist Party, also known as the People's Party, was officially organized in Cincinnati, Ohio. The party aimed to represent the interests of farmers and laborers and advocated for various reforms, including the free coinage of silver and direct election of senators.

1891 Fairmont Liberty Half Eagle Coins

Following its introduction in 1838, the Liberty Head Half Eagle design entered its seventh overall decade of production in the 1890s. The famous design from Christian Gobrecht was used for nearly 70 years in total, including across the entirety of six decades from the 1840s to the 1890s.

In 1891, Liberty Half Eagle Gold Coins were in rather low numbers by just two branch mints. The 1891 release featured 61,360 coins from the Philadelphia Mint and 208,000 coins from the Carson City Mint, one of the final issues of the coins at Carson City prior to its 1893 closure.