1839-1866 Coronet, No Motto Type

Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issued Date: 1839-1866
Composition: 0.900 parts gold, 0.100 parts copper
Diameter: 22.5 mm (1839-1840); 21.6 mm (1840-1866)
Weight: 129.0 grains
Edge: Reeded
Mint marks: Philadelphia (none); Dahlonega (D); Charlotte (C); New Orleans (O); San Francisco (S)
Total Business strike mintage: 9,114,017
Total Proof strike mintage: 395

Christian Gobrecht's Coronet design, also called the Liberty Head or Braided Hair type, made its appearance in the half eagle series in 1839. The obverse depicts a female head facing left, her hair tied in a bun secured by a string of beads, wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, stars surrounding, and with the date below. The reverse shows an eagle with a shield on its breast, perched on an olive branch and holding three arrows. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FIVE D. surrounds. Issues of 1839 and some of 1840 measure 22.5 mm and are sometimes referred to as broad mill pieces, whereas later issues measure 21.6 mm. Coinage was accomplished at the Philadelphia Mint on a continuous basis during the span indicated. Additional pieces were made from time to time at Charlotte, Dahlonega, New Orleans, and San Francisco. In general, Charlotte and Dahlonega pieces are scarce. The prime rarity within the span is the 1854-S, struck during the first year of operation of the San Francisco Mint, a coin of which just 168 were made and of which only three are know to exist today.

The type set collector will have no problem acquiring one of the more plentiful dates in any desired grade from Very Fine through AU, with a typical grade encountered being Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Uncirculated pieces are scarce, and superb Uncirculated coins are very rare. Proofs were made in limited quantities and are rarities.