Classic Head Gold $5 Half Eagle, 1834 to 1838.

The Act of June 28, 1834, called for a reduction in the amount of gold used to make the Half Eagle. Before this time the coin had been worth significantly more than its face value. The act reduced the diameter of the coin to 22.5mm. Composition was changed to .8992 gold and .1008 silver and copper. William Kneass designed the new coin, which featured the classic Liberty pose on the front, and the modified eagle of 1813 on the reverse. The inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM was removed to distinguish this coin from earlier mints. The Act of January 18, 1837, further reduced the amount of gold used in producing this coin to .900.