Circulation Strike Circulation Strike

Circulation Strike

Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issue Dates: 1866-1908
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 21.6 mm
Weight: 8.36 grams (129.01 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 51,503,654

Following the almost complete disappearance of U.S. half eagles in the mid-1830s, the Classic Head design was quickly rushed into production to replenish the supply. It was struck only until 1838, and the following year, Christian Gobrecht’s new Liberty Head design made its appearance. It was a pleasing and clean design, shared with both the quarter eagle and eagle, and with only one minor modification, would continue virtually unchanged for 69 years until 1908.

The one modification to the Liberty Head half eagle occurred following the Civil War, when the motto “In God We Trust” was added in a ribbon above the eagle on the reverse. Aside from that, the weight, fineness and other design elements were unchanged.

Today, few collectors attempt a complete set of Liberty half eagles as there are several extremely rare dates like the 1870-CC and the 1875. After 1878 however, things improve and while some of the CC mint coins are scarce and costly in high grade, lower grade specimens are both affordable and available.

1870-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1870-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 7,675
Estimated Survivors: 75-95 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1870 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1871-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1871-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 20,770
Estimated Survivors: 160-185 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1871 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1872-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1872-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 16,980
Estimated Survivors: 125-150 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1872 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1873-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1873-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 7,416
Estimated Survivors: 85-95 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1873 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1874-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1874-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 21,198
Estimated Survivors: 200-250 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1874 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1875-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1875-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 11,828
Estimated Survivors: 150-200 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1875 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1876-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1876-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 6,887
Estimated Survivors: 135-160 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1876 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1877-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1877-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 8,680
Estimated Survivors: 150-195 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1877 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1878-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1878-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 9,054
Estimated Survivors: 90-120 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1878 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1879-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1879-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 17,281
Estimated Survivors: 270-340 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1879 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1880-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1880-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 51,017
Estimated Survivors: 525-600 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1880 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1881-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1881-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 13,886
Estimated Survivors: 150-190 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1881 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1882-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1882-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 82,817
Estimated Survivors: 750-950 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1882 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1883-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1883-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 12,958
Estimated Survivors: 200-250 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1883 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1884-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1884-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 16,402
Estimated Survivors: 250-300 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1884 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1890-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1890-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 53,800
Estimated Survivors: 250-400 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1890 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1891-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1891-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 208,000
Estimated Survivors: 2,000-3,000 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1891 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1892-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1892-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 82,968
Estimated Survivors: 500-600 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1891 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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1893-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
1893-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 60,000
Estimated Survivors: 300-400 Coins in all Conditions
Obverse Text:

1893 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | FIVE D. | CC

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