1866
Half Eagle - 1908 Half Eagle: Set of Two Half Eagles
The
numismatic adventure can be enriched by acquiring groups of
coins in meaningful combinations. Sets of coins can run from
two pieces to many. In the areas of rare date and early silver
and gold coins we have established certain sets of special
interest. They include the first and last of an issue, type
sets, design sets, year sets, and those that are joined by
historical events such as the Civil War. The coins of each
set are specially selected for you and your collecting needs.
We are specialists in this
area and will expertly and confidentially help you assemble
a set similar to the one you see below, which is made up of
pieces from the US Rare Coin Investments’ archives.
We will cherry pick through millions of dollars of rare coins
selecting only the finest quality pieces for your collection.
A Set of First and
Last Half Eagles, Liberty Head Type 2, 1866 to 1908
In 1866 the motto IN GOD
WE TRUST was added to all United States coinage large enough
to accommodate it. The half eagle was among those receiving
the new motto and gaining a new type as a result. The motto
was added to a banner designed by James B. Longacre above
the eagle on the reverse. The change was made in response
to pressure organized by the Reverend M.R. Watkinson. Both
before and during the Civil War almost a dozen Protestant
denominations pressured Congress to add references to God
to the Constitution and other government documents. Reverend
Mark Richards Watkinson was the first to write to Treasury
Secretary Salmon Chase to request that God’s name
be added to our coinage.
His suggestion for a motto
was “God, Liberty, Law.” Chase ordered Mint
Director James Pollock to prepare a suitable motto. Pollock’s
suggestions included “Our Trust Is In God,”
“Our God And Our Country,” and “God Our
Trust.” Then Chase decided on “In God We Trust”
to be added to most of the nation’s coinage. This
motto was a subtle reminder that the North considered itself
on the side of God with regard to the issue of slavery.
A new law was required to allow the motto to be added since
previous acts of Congress specified the mottos and devices
that were permitted on coins. The new motto was placed on
all coins that were deemed sufficiently large enough.
1866
Half Eagle - The 1866 With Motto issue
is very rare in all grades. It is usually seen in
VF to XF grades. Only a few are known in Mint State.
This rare, low mintage, first-year-of-type,
near-Mint State 1866 With Motto half eagle is well
struck and lustrous within the devices of both sides
of the coin. There are full details on the centers
of the stars, the highest points of Liberty’s
hair, the eagle’s neck, and the area to the
lower left of the shield. Just a touch of wear keeps
this coin from an Uncirculated grade. The surfaces
are original and clean for the grade with no individually
distracting abrasion marks.
1908
Half Eagle - The last year of issue,
1908, was a transitional year because the Indian Head
type half eagle was also produced in the same year.
The Liberty Head for this year is among the most common
dates and make excellent type coins.
This last year of type, gem Philadelphia
minted 1908 half eagle is lustrous and bright with
extremely clean fields. It is original and virtually
mark-free on both sides. The strike is extremely sharp
with full details seen on the highest points of Liberty’s
hair, the centers of the stars, and the area to the
lower left of the shield. When a coin is so appealing,
it is difficult to determine why it did not grade
considerably higher.
