1885 Half Eagle (1885 $5) PCGS PF62 CAM. The coin that is displayed for your consideration is a spectacular 1885 $5 gold half eagle graded PR-62 Cameo by PCGS. This example is a true numismatic rarity as there were only 66 proofs struck out of the 600,000 coins produced for this date! This coin exhibits beautiful mirrored surfaces and amazing frosty devices.

The $5 gold half eagle was familiar in American economic life. It had been in constant use since the early days of the Republic and was one of the longest lasting denominations in United States history. The $5 gold half eagle underwent a major modification in 1866, when the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the reverse of the coin. This familiar motto was chosen over GOD OUR TRUST and GOD AND OUR COUNTRY.

The Liberty Head $5 gold Half Eagle was designed by Mint Engraver Christian Gobrecht, and was minted since 1839. Gobrecht's Coronet Liberty was a modified version of the John Reich/William Kneass "Classic Head" that had been in production since 1834. Liberty is depicted thinner and more delicate than on the previous version. She is wearing a tiara engraved with the inscription LIBERTY and her hair is tied in a bun with a string of beads. Thirteen stars surround the bust with the date positioned below. The reverse shows an eagle with outstretched wings, Union shield on its breast, perched on an olive branch and holding three arrows in its left claw. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination FIVE D. encircle the eagle just inside the beaded border. In 1866, Gobrecht's successor as Chief Engraver, James Longacre, added the new motto IN GOD WE TRUST to a scroll placed above the eagle's head.