1861 $5.00 Half Eagle, PCGS XF-45, Shots were fired on Fort Sumter South Caroline the year this wholesome $5.00 gold piece was struck. This specimen, a nice wholesome coin in Extremely Fine 45 saw some activity in those tumultuous times. Remember, the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War is set to begin in 2011. Here's a very affordable gold coin from that era.