1916-S $5 Gold MS Values

Greysheet & Red Book® Price Guide
Melt: $989.57 (0.2419 oz Gold)

Sponsor

shop eBay

Sponsor

shop

Sponsor

shop Stacks Bowers Auctions

Sponsor

shop US Coins and Jewelry

Sponsor

shop

1916-S $5 Gold MS Values

Details

Today the 1916-S is relatively common but decades ago prior to a minor hoard it was far more scarce. That hoard contained plenty of low end Mint State examples therefore this date is no different from most others in how the coins are attainable in most grades except for the gems that are especially rare. This San Francisco minted issue comes with a strong strike and nice overall color but are lacking in luster. The non-hoard coins are actually more lustrous and the color for this date ranges greatly from greenish gold to orangey gold and everything in between.

down This coin is made of 90% gold; 10% copper and has a current melt value of $989.57

Obverse: The obverse bears the portrait of a Native American chieftain in formal headdress struck incuse with the words LIBERTY at the top and the date at the bottom. 13 stars frame the left and right sides: 6 at left and 7 on the right.

Reverse: The traditional American eagle struck incuse in the center with the words, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at top, E PLURIBUS UNUM left of the eagle, and IN GOD WE TRUST to the right of the eagle. The denomination 5 DOLLARS struck below the eagle.

Basic Information

GSID:

9331

Coin Date:

1916-S

Denomination:

$5 / $5 Gold

Designation:

MS

Mint & Coinage Details

Mint Location:

San Francisco

Mintage:

240,000

Coinage Type:

Five Dollar Gold Half Eagle

Coinage Years:

1908-1929

Composition:

90% gold; 10% copper

Mint Mark:

S

Physical Characteristics

Fineness:

0.9

Weight:

8.359 gr

Weight:

0.2688 oz

Precious Metal Weight:

0.2419 oz

Strike Type:

Business

Diameter:

21.6 mm

Coin Shape:

Round

Design Details

Designer:

Bella Lyon Pratt

Obverse Lettering:

LIBERTY, 1916

Obverse Designer:

Bela Lyon Pratt

Reverse Lettering:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST, FIVE DOLLARS

Reverse Designer:

Beyla Lyon Pratt

Feedback:

Available on Greysheet Marketplace

View All

Dealer Directory

View All Dealers
Coinfully
FEATURED

Greysheet News

View All News
The Business of Numismatics: July 2026 Greysheet Editor's Letter
The Business of Numismatics: July 2026 Greysheet Editor's Letter
7/3/2026

July is a special month on this year's calendar as we celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation.

1888 Proof Double Eagle Headlines Heritage's Summer FUN U.S. Coins Auction
1888 Proof Double Eagle Headlines Heritage's Summer FUN U.S. Coins Auction
7/3/2026

1797 Small Eagle half dollar and Fudd, Cole Carter and Bellaire collections also among July 16-18 event highlights.

Heritage Auctions' June 29 Error Coinage Showcase Auction Realizes More Than $341,000, Led by Rare 1944 Steel Lincoln Cent
Heritage Auctions' June 29 Error Coinage Showcase Auction Realizes More Than $341,000, Led by Rare 1944 Steel Lincoln Cent
7/2/2026

Exceptional mint errors, wrong-planchet strikes and dramatic double-struck rarities drove Heritage's June 29 Showcase event to $341,470

Map icon

Campbelltown Volunteer Fire Company