Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issue Dates: 1839-1865
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 22.5 mm (1839-1840); 21.6 mm (1840-1866)
Weight: 8.36 grams (129.01 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Proof Mintage: 450 (estimated)

While a tiny handful of Proof Liberty half eagles were struck prior to 1858, all are extraordinarily rare with fewer than five pieces known of most dates. The Mint kept no records of their early Proof coinage, and prior to 1858 when direct sales to collectors began, Proofs were made selectively, and distributed to either foreign dignitaries, government officials or collectors with connections to the Mint.

As stated above, the pre-1858 issues are all quite rare, and certified populations are all in the low single-digits. After that point, availability improves with most dates.

Cameos and Deep/Ultra Cameos are fairly plentiful, with that characteristic designated on about 40% of the graded coins by PCGS and just over three quarters of NGC’s coins.

While no Proof gold can be called “inexpensive”, Choice PR-63 and 64 coins can be acquired in the in the very low five-figure range and Gem PR-65 and 66s can be found in the low to mid-five-figure range. Superb PR-67’s will likely run into mid-to-upper five-figures, but even that is not an outrageous sum for a stunning Gem Proof U.S. gold coin.