The Classic Head $5 used Kneass's motto-free design on the lighter post-1834 gold standard and introduced Charlotte and Dahlonega half eagles in its final year.

This guide covers the eight cataloged 1834–1838 issues from Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Dahlonega.

Core specifications

Issue period
1834–1838
Catalog mints
3
Reported catalog mintage
2,114,450
Composition
90% Gold - 10% Silver and Copper
Diameter
22.5 mm
Weight
8.36 g

A practical new standard gets a brief design

Congress reduced gold coin weight in 1834 to keep federal gold in circulation.

The Classic Head design expressed that change for only five years before Gobrecht's Liberty Head replaced it, while the 1838 branch issues opened a new regional chapter.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

Liberty faces left wearing a LIBERTY headband, with stars around and the date below.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

A naturalistic eagle and shield appear without E PLURIBUS UNUM, the clearest type-level diagnostic.

Where the cataloged coins were made

Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.

  • P — Philadelphia: 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1838; 2,076,418. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.
  • D — Denver: 1838; 20,853. Confirm the D mint mark together with its expected year, position, and issue format.
  • C — C: 1838; 17,179. Confirm the C mint mark together with its expected year, position, and issue format.

Representative issues that explain the series

A Philadelphia coin shows the type; 1838-C and 1838-D add the first southern branch-mint half eagles.

  • 1836 P — 553,147. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1837 P — 207,121. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1838 C — 17,179. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1838 D — 20,853. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1838 P — 286,588. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Issue catalog

1834 P Classic Head $5 - Plain 41834 P Classic Head $5 - Crosslet 41835 P Classic Head $51836 P Classic Head $51837 P Classic Head $51838 P Classic Head $51838 C Classic Head $51838 D Classic Head $5

From one type coin to a complete catalog

  • One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
  • Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
  • Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 8 issue records, 0 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. Legislation to Regulate Gold Coins, June 28, 1834 — United States Mint
  2. Gold Eagle Coins and Their History — United States Mint
  3. Classic Head $5 category reference — PCGS CoinFacts