The $5 Gold Classic Head Half Eagle is an early American coin minted from 1834 to 1838, representing a significant change in US gold coinage. The obverse features a left-facing bust of Liberty wearing a headband inscribed with the word "LIBERTY", which is the defining characteristic of the "Classic Head" design, created by mint engraver William Kneass. The reverse of the coin depicts a simplified heraldic eagle, which is a departure from the previous designs that included the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM". These coins are composed of 90% gold and 10% copper, and their issuance coincided with the era when the US was reforming its coinage, including decreasing the gold content to discourage melting and exporting of US gold coins.
