In January 1848 began the California Gold Rush. Over the next few years, hundred thousands of people arrived there in the hope of finding their fortunes. Several other gold finds followed over the next half century in Nevada, Oregon, Colorado and Alaska. A good deal of the gold that was unearthed then found its way into the mints of the United States, where the gold was turned into coins – mostly half eagles, eagles and double eagles: gold coins worth 5, 10 and 20 dollars. The obverses of the half eagles bore the head of Liberty, the personification of freedom (it was replaced by the head of an Indian in 1908). The reverses showed diverse depictions of an eagle.