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The
half eagle is a
United States
coin that was produced for circulation from 1795 to 1929 and in commemorative and bullion coins since the 1980s. Composed almost entirely of gold, it has a face value of five
dollars. It was the first gold coin to be minted by the United States, its production being authorized by the
Coinage Act of 1792. The design and composition of the half eagle changed many times over the years, but this version was designed by
Christian Gobrecht and produced in 1866. The obverse design depicts a portrait of
Liberty facing to the left, and the reverse depicts a modified eagle, with the addition of the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" above the eagle.
Other designs:
National Numismatic Collection,
National Museum of American History; photographed by Jaclyn Nash