1841 Half Eagle - 1841 $5 PCGS AU53. This scarce 1841 Half Eagle has flashes of mint luster within its devices. This 1841 Half Eagle coin has an above average strike with full details on the centers of the stars, most of Libertys hair, and the area to the lower left of the shield. Only a trace of wear shows on the tip of the coronet and the highest portion of Libertys hair. The surfaces are original and show abrasion marks that are in keeping with the grade, with none individually outstanding that require description.

When Mint Engraver William Kneass was unable to resume his duties after a debilitating stroke, Christian Gobrecht was asked to do his work, which included making a new half eagle that would be uniform with the eagle. The Liberty Head half eagle with no motto was minted from 1839 to 1866.

Gobrechts design shows a left facing profile of Liberty wearing a LIBERTY inscribed coronet. Her hair is tied in the back and there are two loose curls that hang down her neck. Around the head are thirteen six-pointed stars, and the date is below the truncation. At the periphery of the coin are dentils. The coin also has a reeded edge. The reverse shows a heraldic eagle similar to the one on the Classic Head eagle. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the eagle, except for its wing tips, in an arc. The denomination is below, separated with dots, and written as FIVE D.

The 1841 Half Eagle is scarce in all grades. In its population report, PCGS shows 5 in AU53 condition with 22 better.