Liberty Head $5 gold half eagle (1839–1908) melt value
The Liberty Head half eagle is a US $5 gold coin made from 1839 to 1908. It is 90% gold and holds just under a quarter of a troy ounce of pure gold. Like other pre-1933 US gold, it often sells above its melt value, and coins from the Charlotte (C), Dahlonega (D) and Carson City (CC) mints, scarce dates and coins in top condition can be worth much more, so ask a coin dealer for a collector price before selling it for its gold. Here's what the gold inside is worth at today's live price.
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How do I know if my liberty head $5 gold half eagle is gold?
The front shows Liberty facing left, wearing a coronet with the word LIBERTY, surrounded by 13 stars. The back shows an eagle with a shield on its chest and the denomination "FIVE D." at the bottom. It measures 21.6 mm across (coins of 1839 and some of 1840 are slightly wider, 22.5 mm) and weighs about 8.36 grams. Coins from 1866 onward have "IN GOD WE TRUST" on a banner above the eagle; earlier coins do not. Branch-mint coins have a small C, D, O, S or CC mint mark on the back, below the eagle and above "FIVE D." (on 1839 coins it is on the front, above the date); Philadelphia coins have none. A D on coins dated 1906 or 1907 means Denver; earlier D coins come from Dahlonega, Georgia. The 1854-S and 1875 are great rarities, and dates such as 1870-CC and 1878-CC sell for well above melt. It was replaced in 1908 by the Indian Head half eagle.
Why does a dealer pay less than melt value?
Dealers need room to cover refining, shipping and resale costs, so most pay a percentage of melt value for common-date coins.
Is it legal to melt coins?
US rules prohibit melting one-cent and five-cent coins. That rule does not cover dimes, quarters, half dollars, dollars or bullion coins. Most people sell coins whole to a dealer rather than melting them.