US Gold Half Eagle
All Design Types • Branch Mint Issues • Key Dates • Current Values
Half Eagle Value
Most gold half eagles are worth $1,050–$1,300 in circulated condition. That covers common-date Liberty Head and Indian Head coins, which trade a little above their gold content. Early types from before 1834, Southern and Carson City branch-mint coins, and low-mintage key dates are worth far more, from a few thousand dollars to over $8 million.
The table below lists values by design type, date and mint. "Circulated" covers roughly VF to AU grades. "Mint State" is a typical MS-63 value; proof-only issues are marked PR.
| Date / Variety | Mint | Mintage | Circulated (VF–AU) | Mint State (MS-63) | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle (1795–1798)0.2578 oz gold | |||||
| 1795 (first year) KEY | Philadelphia | 8,707 | $40,000–$80,000 | $250,000+ | eBay → |
| 1796/5 KEY | Philadelphia | 6,196 | $45,000–$90,000 | $300,000+ | eBay → |
| Capped Bust Right, Heraldic Eagle (1795–1807)0.2578 oz gold | |||||
| 1798–1805 (various dates) | Philadelphia | Varies | $10,000–$20,000 | $45,000+ | eBay → |
| 1806–1807 | Philadelphia | 32,488–64,093 | $9,000–$15,000 | $35,000+ | eBay → |
| Capped Draped Bust Left (1807–1812)0.2578 oz gold | |||||
| 1807–1812 | Philadelphia | 51,605–100,287 | $8,000–$14,000 | $30,000+ | eBay → |
| Capped Head Left (1813–1834)0.2578 oz gold | |||||
| 1813–1814 | Philadelphia | 15,454–95,428 | $9,000–$16,000 | $35,000+ | eBay → |
| 1815 KEY | Philadelphia | 635 | $150,000+ | $300,000+ | eBay → |
| 1818–1829 (most dates rare) | Philadelphia | Varies | $25,000+ | $75,000+ | eBay → |
| 1822 KEY | Philadelphia | 17,796 (3 known) | — | $8,400,000 (2021 sale) | — |
| 1829–1834 (reduced diameter) | Philadelphia | Varies | $20,000–$50,000 | $80,000+ | eBay → |
| Classic Head (1834–1838)0.2419 oz gold | |||||
| 1834–1836 (common dates) | Philadelphia | 553,147–657,460 | $1,600–$2,500 | $8,000–$12,000 | eBay → |
| 1838-C / 1838-D KEY | Charlotte / Dahlonega | 17,179 / 20,583 | $6,000–$15,000 | $40,000+ | eBay → |
| Liberty Head, No Motto (1839–1866)0.2419 oz gold | |||||
| Common dates (1840s–1850s) | Philadelphia | Varies | $1,050–$1,400 | $5,000–$10,000 | eBay → |
| Charlotte issues (1839–1861) | Charlotte | Varies | $2,500–$6,000 | $20,000+ | eBay → |
| Dahlonega issues (1839–1861) | Dahlonega | Varies | $2,500–$6,500 | $20,000+ | eBay → |
| New Orleans issues (1840–1857) | New Orleans | Varies | $1,500–$4,000 | $15,000+ | eBay → |
| 1854-S KEY | San Francisco | 268 (3 known) | $2,000,000+ | None known | — |
| San Francisco issues (1855–1866) | San Francisco | Varies | $1,500–$5,000 | $25,000+ | eBay → |
| Liberty Head, With Motto (1866–1908)0.2419 oz gold | |||||
| 1870-CC KEY | Carson City | 7,675 | $15,000–$35,000 | Very rare | eBay → |
| 1875 KEY | Philadelphia | 200 | $50,000–$100,000+ | Very rare | eBay → |
| 1878-CC KEY | Carson City | 9,054 | $8,000–$20,000 | Very rare | eBay → |
| 1887 KEY | Philadelphia | 87 (proof only) | — | PR: $50,000+ | eBay → |
| Carson City (1890–1893) | Carson City | 53,800–208,000 | $1,800–$3,500 | $8,000–$20,000 | eBay → |
| Common dates (1880–1908) | P / S | Varies | $1,050–$1,200 | $1,600–$2,500 | eBay → |
| Indian Head (1908–1929)0.2419 oz gold | |||||
| 1908 (first year) | Philadelphia | 577,845 | $1,050–$1,250 | $2,000–$3,000 | eBay → |
| 1909-D | Denver | 3,423,560 | $1,050–$1,200 | $1,800–$2,500 | eBay → |
| 1909-O KEY | New Orleans | 34,200 | $4,000–$9,000 | $40,000+ | eBay → |
| 1911-D | Denver | 72,500 | $1,400–$2,500 | $10,000–$20,000 | eBay → |
| 1912-S–1916-S | San Francisco | 164,000–408,000 | $1,100–$1,600 | $4,000–$10,000 | eBay → |
| 1929 (final year) KEY | Philadelphia | 662,000 | $15,000–$25,000 | $30,000–$45,000 | eBay → |
Values are approximate market ranges for authentic, problem-free coins as of October 2026, with gold near $4,170/oz. At that price the gold in a 0.2419 oz half eagle is worth about $1,010, and about $1,075 in a pre-1834 0.2578 oz coin. Common dates track the gold price; rare dates track collector demand.
Origins of the Half Eagle
The $5 Gold Half Eagle debuted in 1795 as one of the earliest gold denominations produced by the United States Mint. Designed by Robert Scot, it provided the young nation with a stable and reliable medium of exchange during a period of rapid economic development. Its role in supporting early American commerce has made the Half Eagle a foundational piece in U.S. numismatic history — and its 134-year production run makes it the longest-running gold denomination in American coinage.
Unlike the quarter eagle or $3 gold piece, the half eagle saw production quantities large enough to actually circulate in everyday commerce. Merchants, banks, and the public alike used these coins in trade throughout the 19th century, which means that many surviving examples show the wear of genuine use — adding historical texture to every coin. The half eagle series encompasses more design types, more mint facilities, and more key dates than any other classic US gold denomination.
Design Evolution
Over its long production run, the Half Eagle went through seven major designs: Capped Bust Right with Small Eagle (1795–1798), Capped Bust Right with Heraldic Eagle (1795–1807), Capped Draped Bust Left (1807–1812), Capped Head Left (1813–1834), Classic Head (1834–1838), Liberty Head / Coronet (1839–1908), and Indian Head (1908–1929). These evolving portraits of Liberty, paired with the enduring eagle reverse, reflected the nation's artistic growth and shifting identity.
The most celebrated transition came in 1908 when sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt introduced the incuse Indian Head design — the same design that appears on the $2.50 quarter eagle — featuring a Native American in full headdress with the design elements sunken into the coin's surface rather than raised above it. This bold artistic departure marked the final chapter of the half eagle series before gold coinage was phased out in the New Deal era.
Half Eagle Design Types — Series Overview
Early Issues: Capped Bust, Draped Bust & Capped Head (1795–1834)
1795–1798 Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle
1795–1807 Capped Bust Right, Heraldic Eagle
1807–1812 Capped Draped Bust Left
1813–1834 Capped Head Left
1822 Half Eagle — Greatest Rarity
1834–1838 Classic Head
Liberty Head / Coronet Half Eagles (1839–1908)
1839–1866 Liberty Head — No Motto
1854-S — Branch Mint Rarity
1866–1908 Liberty Head — With Motto
Carson City (CC) Issues
Charlotte (C) & Dahlonega (D) Issues
New Orleans (O) Issues
Indian Head Half Eagles (1908–1929)
1908–1916 Indian Head
1909-O New Orleans
1911-D Denver
1912-S–1916-S San Francisco
1929 Philadelphia — Final Year
Indian Head Proof Issues
Production and Rarity
Minted until 1929, Half Eagles saw widely varying mintages, with certain years — such as the 1815, the 1822, and the tiny 1854-S — produced or surviving in extremely small quantities. These low-mintage dates, combined with the series' long history and diverse designs, contribute to strong collector demand and high market values. Today, the Half Eagle remains a prized numismatic treasure, valued for its rarity, craftsmanship, and enduring legacy.
The 1933 gold recall under President Roosevelt resulted in the melting of enormous quantities of gold coins, including substantial numbers of late-series half eagles. The 1929 is the clearest example: hundreds of thousands were struck, but only a small number survive. Collectors today benefit from knowing that late-date gold is often meaningfully scarcer than its original mintage suggests. For related series, see our guides on Gold Quarter Eagles, Gold Double Eagles, and US Gold Coins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gold half eagle worth?
A common-date Liberty Head or Indian Head half eagle in circulated condition is worth about $1,050–$1,300, primarily based on its 0.24187 troy oz gold content plus a modest collector premium. Carson City, Southern branch mint and early pre-1834 coins carry much higher premiums. The 1854-S is a $2 million coin, and the 1822 sold for $8.4 million. High-grade certified examples of any date command significant premiums over circulated coins.
What is the rarest gold half eagle?
The 1822 Capped Head half eagle is the rarest — only three examples are known, two of which reside permanently in the Smithsonian Institution. The one privately owned example sold for $8.4 million at auction in 2021. The 1854-S is nearly as rare, with three known from a mintage of 268. Among coins that come to market more often, the 1815, 1795 and 1796/5 are the most valuable.
How much gold is in a half eagle?
Half eagles struck from 1834 onward contain 0.24187 troy ounces of pure gold. They are struck in .900 fine gold (90% gold, 10% copper alloy), with a gross weight of 8.359 grams. Earlier half eagles (1795–1834) are heavier, with about 0.2578 oz of gold. With gold near $4,170/oz in October 2026, the melt value of a common half eagle is about $1,010 — giving even heavily worn examples precious metal value far above their $5 face value.
What makes Carson City half eagles special?
Carson City half eagles carry a strong collector premium because of their association with Nevada's Comstock Lode mining history and the frontier mint that struck them from 1870 to 1884 and again from 1890 to 1893. All CC dates had relatively low mintages compared to Philadelphia issues, and many circulated heavily in the mining economy of the American West. Today, CC half eagles are among the most sought-after branch mint gold coins, with key dates like the 1870-CC commanding $15,000+ even in circulated grades.
What is the Indian Head half eagle and how do I identify it?
The Indian Head half eagle (1908–1929) features an incuse design by Bela Lyon Pratt — the portrait elements are sunken below the coin's surface rather than raised above it, giving the coin a distinctive flat, matte appearance compared to earlier types. The obverse shows a Native American in full headdress and the reverse shows a perched eagle. The incuse design also made the coins prone to accumulating dirt in the recessed areas, which is why problem-free high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which half eagle design type is best for a type set?
For a representative type set at moderate cost, the Liberty Head With Motto (1866–1908) and the Indian Head (1908–1916) are the most affordable, at about $1,600–$3,000 in MS-63. The Classic Head (1834–1838) is the most affordable early type, though MS-63 examples run $8,000 or more. For a showcase gem Liberty Head, high-mintage dates like the 1880 and 1881 are the easiest to find in top condition. The Indian Head type is harder to find in gem condition because the incuse design shows contact marks on the raised fields.
Should I buy certified or raw half eagles?
PCGS or NGC certification is strongly recommended for any half eagle worth more than a modest premium over melt. Gold coins — especially early types and key dates — have a long history of being cleaned, artificially toned, or counterfeited. Certification protects against these risks and provides reliable grade attribution that is essential for resale. For common-date circulated examples near melt value from reputable dealers, raw coins are generally acceptable, but certification becomes critical for MS examples, branch mint coins, and anything you plan to sell at auction.
Collecting and Investing Strategies for United States Gold Coins This book covers regular-issue gold series from 1795 through 1933 and informs the reader on a number of investing strategies, including collecting by type, variety, or rarer issues.
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