1834 Half Eagle (1834 Classic Plain 4 $5) Classic Plain 4, PCGS AU55. This bright 1834 Half Eagle is well struck on both sides. Considerable mint luster is seen within the devices on both the obverse and reverse. Surface abrasion and some wear on the high points of the design are visible, consistent with the grade.

There are no distracting contact marks that are individually worth mentioning. With the Mint Act of 1834, the weight of all gold coins was reduced. As a result, many pieces of the previous issue of half eagles were submitted to the mint for recoinage. It has been estimated that more than 99% of the pre-1834 gold mintage was melted and became Classic Head half eagles.

The obverse design is similar to the Classic Head Large Cents of 1808 to 1814. For the reverse, William Kneass modified the previous Capped Head reverse by removing the banner with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM.