The Liberty $5 gold coins (Coronet head gold $5 half eagle) had a considerable face value when it was minted. Nowadays, collectors appreciate it because of both its historical significance and gold content price. Unfortunately, most pieces are in poor condition, so it is crucial to check the one you want to buy carefully.
Liberty Five Dollar Gold Coin
The Liberty five dollar gold coin value depends on various factors, including:
- Coin condition
- Coin type
- Mintmark
- Date
- Demand level
- Dealer
Type 1
Engraver Christian Gobrecht designed the Liberty five-dollar type 1 made of 90% gold and 10% copper that weighs 0.27 troy ounces (8.36 g). Early coins without motto were minted from 1839 to 1866.
You can recognize gold coins produced in seven different state mints, which is a unique case in US history:
- Philadelphia without a mint mark
- San Francisco, with an S mint mark
- Denver, with a D mint mark (after 1905)
- New Orleans, with an O mint mark
- Carson City, with a CC mint mark
- Dahlonega, with a D mint mark (until 1861)
- Charlotte, with a C mint mark
The Philadelphia mint started producing proof coins in 1858, and they are worth tens of thousands of dollars in the current coin market.
Liberty five-dollar gold coins |
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| Year | Mintage | Very fine | Extra fine | About uncirculated | MS 63 |
| 1839 | 118,143 | $802 | $851 | $1,406 | $26,140 |
| 1839 C | 17,205 | $2,672 | $3,988 | $6,732 | $63,020 |
| 1839 D | 18,939 | $3,260 | $4,606 | $7,846 | / |
| 1840 | 137,382 | $802 | $882 | $1,406 | $11,024 |
| 1840 C | 18,992 | $2,672 | $3,988 | $7,159 | $63,021 |
| 1840 D | 22,896 | $2,672 | $3,988 | $7,166 | $48,590 |
| 1840 O | 40,120 | $851 | $1,212 | $1,977 | $35,227 |
| 1841 | 15,833 | $802 | $975 | $1,564 | $11,024 |
| 1841 C | 21,467 | $2,218 | $2,954 | $3,988 | $41,859 |
| 1841 D | 30,495 | $2,431 | $3,260 | $4,606 | $30,841 |
| 1842 small letters | 27,578 | $802 | $1,316 | $3,442 | $24,309 |
| 1842 large letters | $1,006 | $1,977 | $4,853 | $27,723 | |
| 1842 C small date | 28,184 | $8,512 | $18,085 | $29,255 | $179,373 |
| 1842 C large date | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,988 | $38,320 | |
| 1842 D small date | 59,608 | $2,431 | $3,260 | $4,365 | $33,351 |
| 1842 D large date | $3,442 | $6,285 | $13,010 | / | |
| 1842 O | 16,400 | $1,564 | $3,442 | $9,644 | $48,590 |
| 1843 | 611,205 | $802 | $826 | $851 | $11,024 |
| 1843 C | 44,277 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $4,853 | $33,351 |
| 1843 D | 98,452 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,988 | $26,140 |
| 1843 O small letters | 19,075 | $1,156 | $2,018 | $2,954 | $41,859 |
| 1843 O large letters | 82,000 | $913 | $1,564 | $2,431 | $27,723 |
| 1844 | 340,330 | $802 | $826 | $851 | $8,512 |
| 1844 C | 23,631 | $2,596 | $3,442 | $5,211 | $33,352 |
| 1844 D | 88,982 | $2,431 | $3,260 | $4,365 | $30,842 |
| 1844 O | 364,600 | $826 | $851 | $1,185 | $14,960 |
| 1845 | 417,099 | $802 | $826 | $851 | $10,073 |
| 1845 D | 90,629 | $2,431 | $3,162 | $3,988 | $26,924 |
| 1845 O | 41,000 | $1,036 | $1,316 | $2,954 | $33,352 |
| 1846 small date | 395,942 | $802 | $826 | $975 | $14,960 |
| 1846 large date | $802 | $826 | $851 | $13,775 | |
| 1846 C | 12,995 | $2,431 | $3,260 | $5,298 | $63,023 |
| 1846 D | 80,294 | $2,596 | $3,260 | $4,365 | $38,321 |
| 1846 O | 58,000 | $944 | $1,316 | $3,346 | $27,723 |
| 1847 | 915,981 | $802 | $826 | $851 | $6,733 |
| 1847 C | 84,151 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,988 | $30,842 |
| 1847 D | 64,405 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,988 | $19,681 |
| 1847 O | 12,000 | $2,954 | $5,908 | $9,121 | $66,930 |
| 1848 | 260,775 | $802 | $826 | $851 | $10,425 |
| 1848 C | 64,472 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,988 | $46,577 |
| 1848 D | 47,465 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,988 | $33,352 |
| 1849 | 133,070 | $802 | $826 | $975 | $13,775 |
| 1849 C | 64,823 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,830 | $28,171 |
| 1849 D | 39,036 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,830 | $38,076 |
| 1850 | 64,491 | $802 | $826 | $1,316 | $16,845 |
| 1850 C | 63,591 | $2,292 | $2,727 | $3,830 | $20,597 |
| 1850 D | 43,984 | $2,431 | $3,260 | $3,988 | 59,253 |
| 1851 | 377,505 | $802 | $826 | $851 | $10,074 |
| 1851 C | 49,176 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,988 | $41,861 |
| 1851 D | 62,710 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,988 | $27,724 |
| 1851 O | 41,000 | $1,097 | $1,764 | $3,830 | $24,246 |
| 1852 | 573,901 | $802 | $826 | $851 | $7,160 |
| 1852 C | 72,574 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,988 | $22,098 |
| 1852 D | 91,584 | $2,431 | $3,100 | $4,282 | $26,925 |
| 1853 | 305,770 | $802 | $826 | $851 | $8,591 |
| 1853 C | 65,571 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,988 | $26,142 |
| 1853 D | 89,678 | $2,431 | $3,100 | $4,282 | $19,682 |
| 1854 | 160,675 | $802 | $826 | $851 | $9,121 |
| 1854 C | 39,283 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $4,365 | $39,420 |
| 1854 D | 56,413 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,988 | $27,725 |
| 1854 O | 46,000 | $913 | $1,097 | $1,881 | $24,311 |
| 1855 | 117,098 | $802 | $826 | $851 | $8,513 |
| 1855 C | 39,788 | $2,672 | $3,100 | $4,365 | $44,672 |
| 1855 D | 22,432 | $2,431 | $3,100 | $4,096 | $41,862 |
| 1855 O | 11,100 | $1,316 | $2,431 | $4,607 | $48,594 |
| 1855 S | 61,000 | $851 | $1,633 | $2,954 | / |
| 1856 | 197,990 | $802 | $826 | $851 | $9,122 |
| 1856 C | 28,457 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $4,365 | $41,862 |
| 1856 D | 19,786 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $4,365 | $35,230 |
| 1856 O | 10,000 | $1,316 | $2,218 | $4,854 | $38,323 |
| 1856 S | 105,100 | $802 | $975 | $1,564 | $27,725 |
| 1857 | 98,188 | $802 | $826 | $851 | $8,513 |
| 1857 C | 31,360 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,988 | $30,844 |
| 1857 D | 17,046 | $2,431 | $3,100 | $4,365 | $38,323 |
| 1857 O | 13,000 | $1,316 | $2,055 | $4,365 | $46,579 |
| 1857 S | 87,000 | $851 | $1,097 | $1,881 | $23,605 |
| 1858 | 15,136 | $802 | $826 | $1,036 | $11,025 |
| 1858 C | 38,856 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $4,365 | $34,172 |
| 1858 D | 15,362 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $4,365 | $35,230 |
| 1858 S | 18,600 | $1,316 | $3,100 | $6,555 | $59,255 |
| 1859 | 16,814 | $802 | $826 | $1,067 | $13,776 |
| 1859 C | 31,847 | $2,431 | $2,954 | $3,988 | $38,324 |
| 1859 D | 10,366 | $2,431 | $3,260 | $4,365 | $35,230 |
| 1859 S | 13,220 | $1,881 | $3,831 | $5,298 | $55,913 |
| 1860 | 19,825 | $802 | $826 | $1,291 | $14,962 |
| 1860 C | 14,813 | $2,431 | $3,260 | $4,607 | $27,726 |
| 1860 D | 14,635 | $2,672 | $3,988 | $5,212 | $46,580 |
| 1860 S | 21,200 | $1,406 | $2,596 | $5,298 | $52,619 |
| 1861 | 688,150 | $802 | $826 | $851 | $8,513 |
| 1861 C | 6,879 | $4,607 | $7,160 | $11,025 | $94,416 |
| 1861 D | 1,597 | $19,682 | $24,312 | $38,324 | $205,092 |
| 1861 S | 18,000 | $1,406 | $3,988 | $6,733 | / |
| 1862 | 4,465 | $1,156 | $2,018 | $3,260 | / |
| 1862 S | 9,500 | $2,954 | $5,212 | $13,776 | / |
| 1863 | 2,472 | $1,881 | $3,988 | $7,847 | / |
| 1863 S | 17,000 | $1,881 | $4,365 | $10,426 | / |
| 1864 | 4,220 | $1,316 | $2,088 | $3,260 | / |
| 1864 S | 3,888 | $6,733 | $13,451 | $33,355 | / |
| 1865 | 1,295 | $1,881 | $3,988 | $10,074 | / |
| 1865 S | 27,612 | $1,881 | $2,954 | $9,645 | / |
| 1866 S | 9,000 | $2,055 | $3,988 | $11,025 | / |
Type 2
Minting the Liberty five-dollar gold coins type 2 with motto started in 1866 and finished in 1908. They belong to the early matron gold coins with 0.85 inches (21.6 mm) in diameter that contain 90% precious metal.
Liberty five-dollar gold coins |
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| Year | Mintage | Very fine | Extra fine | About uncirculated | MS 63 |
| 1866 | 6,730 | $$1,037 | $1,633 | $3,260 | $48,596 |
| 1866 S | 34,920 | $1,240 | $2,954 | $7,847 | / |
| 1867 | 6,920 | $851 | $1,564 | $3,442 | / |
| 1867 S | 29,000 | $1,406 | $2,954 | $6,286 | / |
| 1868 | 5,725 | $851 | $1,564 | $3,260 | / |
| 1868 S | 52,000 | $$779 | $1,564 | $3,260 | / |
| 1869 | 1,785 | $1,097 | $2,142 | $3,988 | $30,182 |
| 1869 S | 31,000 | $826 | $1,881 | $3,442 | / |
| 1870 | 4,035 | $975 | $1,881 | $3,260 | / |
| 1870 CC | 7,675 | $19,683 | $30,846 | $41,865 | / |
| 1870 S | 17,000 | $1,156 | $2,218 | $6,734 | / |
| 1871 | 3,230 | $1,037 | $1,564 | $2,954 | / |
| 1871 CC | 20,770 | $3,442 | $7,160 | $13,777 | $82,672 |
| 1871 S | 25,000 | $779 | $1,266 | $2,954 | / |
| 1872 | 1,690 | $1,006 | $1,700 | $2,954 | $20,239 |
| 1872 CC | 16,980 | $3,442 | $7,717 | $14,963 | / |
| 1872 S | 36,400 | $826 | $1,097 | $2,954 | / |
| 1873 closed 3 | 112,480 | $705 | $707 | $803 | $5,778 |
| 1873 open 3 | 112,505 | $705 | $707 | $826 | $4,366 |
| 1873 CC | 7,416 | $5,212 | $13,012 | $24,313 | / |
| 1873 S | 31,000 | $851 | $1,406 | $2,954 | / |
| 1874 | 3,508 | $803 | $1,316 | $2,672 | $24,314 |
| 1874 CC | 21,198 | $2,432 | $3,442 | $11,026 | / |
| 1874 S | 16,000 | $1,097 | $1,881 | $3,988 | / |
| 1875 | 220 | $70,901 | $94,422 | $127,847 | / |
| 1875 CC | 11,828 | $2,954 | $5,212 | $13,012 | $127,847 |
| 1875 S | 9,000 | $1,067 | $2,432 | $4,366 | / |
| 1876 | 1,477 | $1,266 | $2,432 | $4,366 | $22,101 |
| 1876 CC | 6,887 | $2,954 | $5,299 | $14,963 | / |
| 1876 S | 4,000 | $1,447 | $3,324 | $7,161 | / |
| 1877 | 1,152 | $1,316 | $2,142 | $3,831 | / |
| 1877 CC | 8,680 | $2,088 | $4,366 | $13,012 | / |
| 1877 S | 26,700 | $779 | $826 | $1,881 | $20,600 |
| 1878 | 131,740 | $653 | $679 | $694 | $2,088 |
| 1878 CC | 9,054 | $5,212 | $11,026 | $19,684 | / |
| 1878 S | 144,700 | $653 | $679 | $755 | $4,607 |
| 1879 | 301,950 | $653 | $679 | $694 | $2,088 |
| 1879 CC | 17,281 | $1,881 | $2,954 | $4,366 | / |
| 1879 S | 426,200 | $653 | $679 | $694 | $2,954 |
| 1880 | 3,166,436 | $653 | $679 | $694 | $1,316 |
| 1880 CC | 51,017 | $1,316 | $1,700 | $2,432 | $44,677 |
| 1880 S | 1,348,900 | $653 | $679 | $694 | $1,316 |
| 1881 | 5,708,802 | $653 | $679 | $694 | $1,097 |
| 1881 CC | 13,886 | $$1,564 | $2,673 | $7,161 | $59,263 |
| 1881 S | 969,000 | $653 | $679 | $694 | $1,156 |
| 1882 | 2,514,568 | $653 | $679 | $694 | $1,037 |
| 1882 CC | 82,817 | $1,213 | $1,447 | $2,088 | $38,328 |
| 1882 S | 969,000 | $653 | $679 | $694 | $1,266 |
| 1883 | 233,461 | $653 | $679 | $694 | $1,764 |
| 1883 CC | 12,958 | $1,156 | $1,825 | $3,443 | $48,601 |
| 1883 S | 83,200 | $653 | $679 | $694 | $2,673 |
| 1884 | 191,078 | $653 | $679 | $694 | $2,089 |
| 1884 CC | 16,402 | $1,156 | $1,564 | $3,831 | $58,085 |
| 1884 S | 177,000 | $653 | $679 | $694 | $1,700 |
All coins minted from 1885 to 1908 still exist in a considerable amount, so their prices are pretty stable. You can quickly find pieces in very fine and about uncirculated conditions for approximately $680 to $1,300.
Pieces in MS 63 condition are usually worth $1,000 to $2,000. Only a few coins produced in Carson City and New Orleans that are still in the mint stage will cost you significantly more, including:
- 1890 CC Liberty five-dollar gold coins ($7,848)
- 1892 CC Liberty five-dollar gold coins ($9,084)
- 1893 CC Liberty five-dollar gold coins ($8,515)
- 1894 CC Liberty five-dollar gold coins ($7,161)
- 1896 CC Liberty five-dollar gold coins ($6,287)
- 1892 O Liberty five-dollar gold coins ($13,778)
- 1894 O Liberty five-dollar gold coins ($9,123)
Key Date Liberty Five Dollar Gold Coins
There are also a few rare and unique Liberty five-dollar gold coins that cost more than regular pieces:
- 1846 D (high D over D)
- 1847 (top of extra 7 at the border)
- 1881 (1 over 0)
- 1887 (proof only)
- 1901 S (final 1 over 0)
The most expensive is probably the 1854 S Liberty five-dollar gold coin that was paid a fantastic $4,454,539.
Summary
If you are a new collector, you should know that the Liberty five-dollar gold coins are costly. However, you can expect its value will only go higher over time. You should also be prepared that some dates don’t exist in the mint state anymore, and some rare coins are mainly unavailable.
