Types of Liberty Gold Coins

While all American gold coins are very much appreciated, the Liberty gold coins may be some of the most popular. The Liberty gold coins were in the forefront of US gold coinage for 7 decades, and most were lost to the melting/confiscation of 1933. Once they were America's symbol of growth to world power status from a struggling and developing nation. The Liberty gold coinage enjoyed popularity during 1838 to 1908. Now, it is estimated that less than 5% of Liberty gold coins exist today.

There are 4 coins in a Liberty gold series; these are known as the 4-piece Liberty Gold set which comprises the Quarter Eagle ($2.50), the Half Eagle ($5.00), the Eagle ($10) and the Double Eagle ($20). These are the main denominations used in gold coins mintage.

Liberty Quarter Eagle

The Liberty Quarter Eagle was minted between 1840 and 1907 at Philadelphia Mint, Dahlonega Mint, Charlotte Mint, New Orleans Mint and San Francisco Mint. This $2.50 gold coin holds 0.12094 oz. of gold in its 18 mm diameter design. The Lady Liberty bust sports its obverse, set above the date with 13 stars all around representing the first 13 states of the U.S. The American eagle sports its reverse with words "United States of America."

Liberty Half Eagle

This $5 gold piece has the longest mint history from 1839 to 1908, having been minted at 7 mints: Philadelphia, Charlotte, Dahlonega, San Francisco, New Orleans, Carson City and Denver. There are 2 varieties of this Half Eagle. The first variety, ‘No Motto’ variety, does not include ‘In God We Trust’ inscription; it was minted between 1839 and 1866. The second variety, ‘With Motto’, with the inscription was minted between 1866 and 1908. Lady Liberty’s bust sports the obverse above the date with 13 stars around while the reverse shows the American eagle clutching arrows and olive branches in its talons at its center; its perimeter is engraved with ‘United States of America Five D’ wordings.

Liberty Gold Eagle

The Liberty Gold Eagle mintage was between 1838 and 1907 at Philadelphia Mint, New Orleans Mint, San Francisco Mint, Denver Mint and Carson City Mint in 2 varieties: ‘No Motto’ (minted between 1838 and 1866) and ‘With Motto’ (minted between 1866 and 1907).

Its design is the same as the Quarter and Half Eagle coins design.

Liberty Double Eagle

The Liberty $20 gold coin was the biggest coin denomination ever issued by the US mint. Its initial design sported the Liberty motif from 1849 through 1907. It was created from the increased gold supply that resulted from the gold rush in California. This coin was minted at Philadelphia Mint, New Orleans Mint, San Francisco Mint, Denver Mint and Carson City Mint. Again, Lady Liberty bust sports its obverse while the most impressive designs of eagles sport its reverse.