1861-P $5 Gold Liberty NGC MS60 w/Harper’s Weekly

Civil War Gold Hidden From Circulation

When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, civilians across the country began hoarding their coins, quickly hiding them away in case the economy collapsed. This fear-driven hoarding was so widespread that by January of 1862, gold had virtually disappeared form circulation. Silver and copper-nickel coins soon followed. For the first time in United States history, no federal coins were in circulation! To help alleviate this lack of coinage, individual merchants began striking their own “coins” — Civil War Tokens that could circulate and carry a value of one cent.

“No Motto” Gold Half Eagles from the Civil War

Now you can own one of those gold coins that was tucked away — an 1861-P $5 Gold Half Eagle, struck at the “Mother Mint” in Philadelphia in highly pure 90% fine gold and certified by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) as being in Uncirculated Mint State-60 (MS60) condition. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the U.S. Mint’s 3rd Chief Engraver, the $5 Gold Liberty Head was struck from 1839 to 1908. It features Lady Liberty on the obverse wearing a coronet inscribed with the word LIBERTY. The reverse features an American Eagle. This is also a Type 1 Liberty Head “No Motto” variety. The motto “In God We Trust” was not added until, 1866 as a way to pay tribute to the lives lost during the Civil War.

A Host of Civil War-Era Extras

In addition to your coin, you’ll also receive a host of Civil War-era extras. It starts was a copy of a Harper’s Weekly, the most widely read political magazine of the Civil War. In it, you could find cartoons by Thomas Nast, battlefield sketches by artist Alfred Waud, photographs of escaped slaves, and columns and stories supporting President Abraham Lincoln. Also included will be an 1865 Six Cents Collection, a $5 Confederate Note in Fine (F) condition, and a storybook on coins from the Civil War.

COIN HIGHLIGHTS:

• HISTORIC VINTAGE AMERICAN COIN – The $5 Gold Liberty Head was struck from 1839 to 1908 and features Lady Liberty on the obverse wearing a coronet inscribed with the word LIBERTY. The reverse features an American Eagle.
• STRUCK IN HIGHLY PURE GOLD – Each 1861-P $5 Gold Liberty coin was in 8.359 ounces of highly pure 90% fine gold and measure 21.6 mm in diameter.
• EARLY U.S. LEGAL TENDER – These 1861-P $5 Gold Liberty coins were officially a Half Eagle denomination and were legal tender in the during the Civil War — if one could find one!
• NICE UNCIRCULATED CONDITION – Your 1861-P $5 Gold Liberty coin has been graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) in Uncirculated Mint State-60 (MS60) condition.
• LOW AVAILABILITY IN HIGH GRADES – Though the Philadelphia Mint struck 688,084 Gold Half Eagles in 1861, coin experts believe they can be difficult to find in Mint State grades.

These 1861-P $5 Gold Liberty coins seemingly vanished during the Civil War, but you can secure one now in Mint State condition with a Civil War-era Harpers Weekly newspaper and a host of other vintage extras! Order yours today!