1839-D Coronet $5 Half Eagle

Most newbie coin collectors have heard of the Denver Mint. They may be surprised to learn there was another, much less famous “D” mint located in Dahlonega, GA, where it struck gold coins from 1838 to 1861.

In 1828, gold was discovered in northeastern Georgia. Word spread quickly of the vast deposits being mined, and soon the region swarmed with prospectors in search of riches.⁽¹⁾

The rip-roaring community of Dahlonega became the boomtown of the gold mining industry in the state, its name originating from the Cherokee word meaning "yellow money".

Despite the successes of the miners, the problem remained how to convert their gold into legal tender for spending. The lone U.S. Mint at the time was in distant Philadelphia, where the raw gold could be processed and coined into money.⁽²⁾

Unfortunately, there was no easy, safe, or inexpensive method to move the gold bullion to Philadelphia, and then back again to the South in the form of coins. The trails were rugged and filled with danger.

The obvious solution was for the United States Mint to establish a branch facility in the place where the gold was being unearthed. Similar action was being sought by North Carolina, for the same reasons.

The lack of minting facilities in the South near the gold fields led to Congressional action on March 3, 1835, establishing three branch mints: Charlotte, North Carolina, Dahlonega, Georgia, and in New Orleans, Louisiana, one of the nation's primary seaports.

On April 21, 1838, a total of 80 half eagles of William Kneass’ Classic Head design were struck, the first coins ever produced by the Georgia mint, and bearing the "D" mint mark to denote a Dahlonega origin.

Quarter eagles were also regular issues at the start up, with gold dollars and a tiny handful of three-dollar coins coming later.

In its second year of existence, 1839, the Mint switched over to Christian Gobrecht’s Coronet theme (often called Liberty Head) for half eagle production.⁽³⁾

The 1839-D Coronet is a one-of-a-kind in Dahlonega history, denoted by two features:

• Lady Liberty’s neckline has a deeper curvature than issues of 1840 onward.
• The “D” mintmark is placed on the obverse above the date: all other Dahlonega half eagles display the mintmark on the reverse.

Of the 18,939 half eagles reportedly struck at Dahlonega in 1839, less than one percent are extant today.⁽⁴⁾

Despite its small surviving population, prices for this southern mint rarity are still within reach of less wealthy collectors (but certainly not inexpensive!) Imagine the pride in telling your fellow numismatists you own an 1839-D Coronet $5 half eagle!

Preview of eBay selection (you may find a few more examples of the 1839-D $5 using the HERE link above):

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