Rarely
Seen Gem 1873 Liberty $5 Gold NGC MS66. - $39,500. Click on Coin Image to
enlarge
1873
Liberty $5 Gold NGC MS66. Closed 3. This date is not
only rare but is much rarer than generally believed
and according to the late great David Akers at the time
of his production of his magnum opus of half eagles
and other gold coins, this date in strict uncirculated
condition appeared for sale at auction for example only
3 Times in 337 auction catalogues surveyed! This specimen
not just uncirculated but Gem Uncirculated MS-66 and
is very flashy and as though she were made yesterday.
This is a great coin that will delight the investor
and will make even the toughest grader happy as heck
at his good fortune in finding and owning this beauty.
For those who want the best. Tied for Finest graded.
Please contact
me by email
or telephone 1-941-291-2156
to reserve this great coin.
Christian Gobrecht designed
the Liberty Head Half Eagle or Coronet half eagle. The
coin shows Liberty facing left in profile wearing a
LIBERTY inscribed coronet with her hair tied in the
back with beads. Two long curls hang down her neck,
one in the back and the other on the side. She is surrounded
with thirteen six-pointed stars. The date is below the
truncation, which shows no drapery. The motif is taken
from a Benjamin West painting of Venus. It was also
used with modifications for the Large Cents of 1839.
The reverse shows a
heraldic eagle with outstretched wing looking to the
left. On its chest is the Union shield. In its talons
it holds the olive branch and arrows. Except for the
tips of the eagle’s wings UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
surrounds the reverse, separated from the denomination
FIVE D. by dots. Dentils are near the edge on both sides
of the coin, and the edge is reeded. Type 2 was created
when the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to a banner
designed by James B. Longacre above the eagle in 1866.
The change was made in response to pressure organized
by the Reverend M.R. Watkinson.
In 1826 Gobrecht did
his first work for the Mint as an assistant to William
Kneass. After Kneass suffered a debilitating stroke,
Gobrecht did all the die and pattern work for the Mint.
He became Chief Engraver in 1840 and served until his
death in 1844. He was famous for his Liberty Seated
motif which was used for all denominations of silver
coinage including the half-dime, dime, quarter dollar,
half dollar and silver dollar. He also designed the
Liberty Head gold eagle, a motif that was also used
on the half-cent, the cent, the gold quarter eagle,
and the gold half eagle.
