The $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle is also sometimes called the Coronet Head because of the coronet worn by Lady Liberty. First minted in 1839, the Liberty Head Half Eagle was designed by Christian Gobrecht who slightly modified William Kneass’ Liberty portrait.
The $5 Liberty, or Coronet, was minted from 1839 until 1907 when the $5 Indian Head coin was introduced. That is almost 70 years that this design was nearly unchanged. The $5 Liberty design is very similar to the $2½, $10, and $20 liberty coin. The obverse features Lady Liberty with her hair in a bun and adorned with a string of beads. The date and 13 stars which represent the original 13 colonies encircle her.
