$5 Liberty Gold Coin is an important part of any gold investment portfolio. Congress authorized the U.S. Mint to coin the $5 gold piece, or Half Eagle on April 2, 1792. The Half Eagle was the first gold coin minted by the United States government. Minted 1866 to 1908 the Half Eagle was produced by the millions and almost all were used as currency. It is also the only coin in U.S. history to have been struck at all seven U.S. Mints that were open during its circulation. The $5.00 gold piece had several design changes throughout its history. One of the final designs of the $5 gold coin, the Liberty, or Coronet, design by Christian Golbrecht was minted from 1839 until 1908 when the $5 Indian gold coin was introduced. The obverse features Lady Liberty whose tight bun of hair is adorned with a string of beads. A coronet inscribed with the word LIBERTY rests on top of her head. The date and one star for each of the thirteen original colonies encircle Libertys portrait. The reverse features a proud bald eagle with wings spread, standing among olive branches. The eagle clinches three arrows in his talons, and has a shield featuring stars and stripes upon his chest. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the denomination, and the Mint Mark surround the eagle.