The half eagle is a United States coin that was produced for circulation from 1795 to 1929 and in commemorative and bullion coins since the 1980s. Composed almost entirely of gold, it has a face value of five dollars. It was the first gold coin to be minted by the United States, its production being authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792. The design and composition of the half eagle changed many times over the years, but this version was designed by William Kneass and produced from 1834 to 1838. The obverse design depicts a classic portrait of Liberty facing to the left, and the reverse depicts a modified eagle, with "E PLURIBUS UNUM" removed.
Other designs: National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History; photographed by Jaclyn Nash