Liberty Head, Motto Above Eagle (1866-1908)

In 1866, the half eagle received the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, was added to the back of the coin on a scroll above the eagle. The motto had actually been contemplated as early as 1863, when the death and mayhem of the Civil War sparked a spiritual renewal in America.

This type doesn't contain a rarity of the stature of an 1854-S, but there are plenty of lesser rarities that are exciting in their own right, coins like the 1875 (200 circulation strikes and 20 Proofs), the low-mintage 1870-CC and 1878-CC, and the Proof-only 1887 (with a mintage of just 87 coins). Two overdates are found in this series: 1881/0 and 1901/0-S. Major varieties are limited to 1873.

Proofs were made every year, but the high face value kept demand in check—few people could afford to invest $5 (plus a proofing fee) into a single coin year after year. Thus, Proof mintages range from a low of 20 to a high of 230. Today, demand for Proof examples of this type is strong, and the face value of the coin no longer carries any significance.
Five mints produced this type: Philadelphia (all years); Carson City (1870-1893); San Francisco (1866-1906); New Orleans (1892-1894); and Denver (1906-1907).

Designed by Christian Gobrecbt. Same designs as the preceding, but a scroll bearing the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added above the eagle on the reverse. Edge; reeded. Standards: weight, 8.359 grams; composi¬tion, 90% gold / 10% silver and copper; diameter, 21.6 mm.