1837 Half Eagle (1837 $5) NGC AU55. This 1837 half eagle is lustrous on both sides. On the obverse, the luster is seen throughout Libertys hair. On the reverse the same is true for the eagle, arrows, and olive branch. There is a small contact mark on the bridge of Libertys nose and one or two tiny ones in the obverse field. The reverse has a few insignificant marks in the field as well. There is small amount of wear on the high point of both sides, accounting for the AU 55 grade. The strike on the reverse is particularly sharp, with every detail of the devices full and clear.
1837 is a transitional date where William Kneass earlier word was modified by Christian Gobrecht. The coin is reminiscent of the Large Cents of 1808 to 1814. We see Liberty wearing a headband on which the word LIBERTY is inscribed. Thirteen stars surround her. The reverse shows a modified heraldic eagle.

While continuing the abbreviation of the denomination as 5D., the coin omits the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM.
After August of 1834, the mint reduced the weight of the half eagle, which eliminated the melting of the coins for bullion. The intrinsic value was below the face value, and it was no longer profitable to melt the coins. In 1839 Gobrecht added the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.