1836 $5 Classic Head Half Eagle PCGS AU53 Ex.SS Central America #2

     We at AUCM are offering a special coin for the sophisticated collector who has a strong sense of history. The current offering, an 1836 $5 Classic head half eagle, is both a numismatic rarity and a survivor of the tragic shipwreck of the S.S. Central America. This is a rare gold type coin, the kind that is found in the finest collections.

     The night of September 11-12, 1857, saw the sinking of the S.S. Central America, when  425 of her 578 passengers and crew perished at sea in a category 2 hurricane with 105 MPH winds. Plus the sinking of 30,000 pounds (14,000 kg) of gold was a major contributing factor to the economic Panic of 1857. Considering those events, this offering from AUCM, an 1836 $5 half eagle, is rich with history.

     Contemporary U.S. gold coins--with a bullion value in international markets that surpassed their face value in silver--were frequently the object of melting during the pre-1834 period. The one series of gold coins that saw the most elimination through melting at that time was the $5 Capped Head half eagle of 1813-1834. The Mint Act of 1834 dramatically altered that practice, hoiwever, striking gold coins that were reduced in weight so that they would circulate--which had not happened since 1795.  U.S. Mint Director Samuel Moore wanted to get those new coins into the hands of consumers while at the same time withdrawing the gold coins of 1795-1813 from the public. Since he expected a huge demand for the new coins, Moore ordered chief mint engraver William Kneass to create a totally new design. To that end, Kneass crafted a unique dishevel-haired Liberty facing left, with thick and curly tresses held in place by a headband inscribed with LIBERTY.