1842 Coronet Head Gold $5 Half Eagle : Small Letters

What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.):

One major variety of the 1842 $5 Liberty Head Gold Half Eagle features smaller letters on the reverse of the coin. This variety is slightly more common than the large letters variety and is easy to identify. The difference between the Large Letters vs Small Letters variety is depicted below in the example comparison image:

Coin Value Chart: Typical Coin Prices, Values and Worth in USD based on Grade/Condition. Numismatic portion of the values last updated February 2026, precious metal portion of the values is updated live!

Good (G-4)	Very Good (VG-8)	Fine (F-12)	Very Fine (VF-20)	Extremely Fine (EF-40)	About Uncirculated (AU-50)	Uncirculated (MS-60)	Uncirculated (MS-63)	Proof (PR-63)
-	-	-	$1,381	$2,330	$3,880	$14,201	$27,539	-

USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1842 Coronet Head Gold $5 Half Eagle (Small Letters Variety) is Worth $1,381 in Average Condition and can be Worth $14,201 to $27,539 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts. Also, click here to Learn About Grading Coins. The Melt Value shown below is how Valuable the Coin's Metal is Worth (bare minimum value of coin). Click here to see the Melt Value of every US Coin.


MELT VALUE: $996.63