Morgan Half Eagle Patterns
1878 $5 Five Dollar, Judd-1578, Pollock-1771, Low R.7, PR63 Gilt NGC
The so-called Phrygian Head or Liberty Head obverse, attributed to George T. Morgan. Liberty wears a Phrygian cap, facing left, with LIBERTY incused on the band. E PLURIBUS is to the left, UNUM to the right, with date 1878 below. On the reverse an eagle is somewhat similar to the Morgan dollar reverse "except not as delicate" (Judd). IN GOD WE TRUST is in Gothic script over the eagle, with FIVE DOL. at the rim below. Struck on a regular-diameter planchet, in copper with a reeded edge.
The overall appearance is similar to the Morgan silver dollar, although a silver one dollar and a gold five dollar with the same or similar designs would have been a fairly radical departure from longstanding practice for the Mint. Many examples are gilt, including the present piece. Two gold examples are also known, both impounded in museum collections.
$12,650.00 (Jan 6, 2009 HA.com)
1878 $5 Five Dollar, Judd-1576, Pollock-1769, R.6-7, PR64 Red and Brown PCGS
A head of Liberty faces left with IN GOD WE TRUST above, and the date 1878 below. Liberty is wearing a large cap inscribed LIBERTY and it is ornamented with 2 wheat ears. There are 13 stars at the border arranged 7 left and 6 right. An eagle with upraised wings is seen on the reverse. E PLURIBUS UNUM is expressed in two lines over the eagle's head. This design is attributed to William Barber who was impressed with Gobrecht's sketches of the 1830s. Struck in copper with a reeded edge. About a dozen pieces are known in copper with several that have been gilt.
$11,500.00 (Jan 9, 2008 HA.com)
Source for information and pictures courtesy of Heritage Coin Auctions
