-
Inventory:
1 In Stock
- Product ID: 56603
Checkout
The Certified $5 Gold Liberty 1906-D MS63 PCGS CAC is a distinguished specimen of one of the final issues in the long-running Liberty Head Half Eagle series. Struck at the Denver Mint just a year before the series was replaced by the Indian Head design, the 1906-D half eagle holds significant appeal as both a historical artifact and a collectible gold coin. Certified by PCGS in Mint State 63, this example carries the added distinction of a CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation) sticker, indicating that it meets or exceeds the strict standards for quality within its grade. With its exceptional eye appeal, rich golden luster, and strong strike, this coin represents the best of late 19th- and early 20th-century American gold coinage.
The Liberty Head $5 Half Eagle was first introduced in 1839 and continued in production until 1908. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the coin remained unchanged for nearly 70 years, making it the longest-running design in U.S. coin history. The design saw widespread use across the country during its circulation lifespan and became a mainstay in everyday commerce, especially in regions where gold was more trusted than paper currency. The 1906-D issue comes from one of the newer mints of the time—the Denver Mint—which had only begun striking coins in 1906. This debut year adds historical importance to the 1906-D half eagle, making it a landmark issue in the mint’s production history.
The obverse of the 1906-D Liberty Head half eagle displays a classic portrait of Liberty facing left, adorned with a coronet inscribed with the word “LIBERTY.” Thirteen stars symbolizing the original colonies encircle the portrait, and the date “1906” appears at the base of the coin. On this MS63 example, Liberty’s features are sharp and well-articulated, with minimal abrasions on the high points. The mint luster is strong and satiny, particularly in the fields, where it dances with the light and gives the coin a fresh, vibrant appearance. PCGS’s MS63 grade denotes a coin with full uncirculated surfaces and only small, non-distracting contact marks.
The reverse features a heraldic eagle clutching an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left, with a patriotic shield on its breast. Above the eagle’s head is the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and around the rim are the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and the denomination “FIVE D.” The “D” mintmark for Denver is located just below the eagle and above the denomination. On this certified coin, the eagle’s feathers, talons, and shield are impressively well struck, with all major design elements showing excellent definition. The luster on the reverse complements that of the obverse, enhancing the coin’s overall eye appeal and confirming its high-end status within the grade.
With a mintage of 320,000 coins, the 1906-D half eagle had a moderate production run for the series. As the first year of Denver Mint half eagles, these coins were initially released into circulation in the American West, where gold coins remained an important medium of exchange. Many were heavily circulated or melted in the decades that followed, which has left relatively few Mint State examples surviving today. Within those, specimens that earn the CAC green sticker are even scarcer, making this coin a standout choice for collectors who value quality and originality.
Coins certified by PCGS and subsequently stickered by CAC are highly regarded in the numismatic marketplace. The CAC designation affirms that the coin is solid for the grade or better and meets strict visual and technical standards. Collectors and investors often pay premiums for CAC-approved coins, knowing that the added endorsement represents select quality within an already exacting grading tier. In the case of this 1906-D MS63 example, the CAC sticker confirms its exceptional luster, sharp strike, and minimal marks, positioning it as a superior choice for a high-grade type set or gold series collection.
The composition of the 1906-D $5 Liberty gold piece is 90% gold and 10% copper, giving it a total weight of 8.359 grams and a net gold content of 0.24187 troy ounces. With a diameter of 21.6 millimeters and a reeded edge, the coin fits neatly into U.S. gold type sets and offers an accessible entry point into classic American gold collecting. Its size and gold content make it popular with both numismatists and bullion investors alike, especially when the coin also boasts high certification levels like MS63 PCGS with CAC approval.
From a historical perspective, the 1906-D half eagle represents the final flourish of Gobrecht’s Liberty Head design before the transition to the modern, incuse Indian Head motif designed by Bela Lyon Pratt. The Denver Mint’s role in striking this issue is also historically significant, as it marked the beginning of coin production in a region deeply connected to America’s gold mining heritage. Coins from the Denver Mint in its inaugural year are of great interest to collectors, especially when they represent a culmination of a long-standing design like the Liberty Head half eagle.
Mint State 63 examples of the 1906-D $5 Liberty are relatively scarce compared to lower-graded circulated specimens. The MS63 grade strikes a balance between eye appeal, affordability, and investment potential. Coins in this grade often retain full design elements, exhibit only light abrasions, and still flash with vibrant luster. This particular example benefits further from the PCGS encapsulation, which guarantees authenticity and protects the coin in a secure, tamper-evident holder with a visible certification number for verification.
The Certified $5 Gold Liberty 1906-D MS63 PCGS CAC stands as a high-quality representative of a pivotal moment in American numismatic and minting history. Its pristine surfaces, strong strike, and dual endorsements from PCGS and CAC elevate it beyond a typical Mint State example. Whether viewed as a collectible artifact of the gold standard era, a foundational piece from the Denver Mint, or a numismatically rich component of a gold type set, this coin offers tangible value and undeniable beauty. Its condition, pedigree, and historical significance make it a prized addition to any discerning collection.