Production of the $5 Half Eagle, also known as the Capped Bust to Right, began on July 31, 1795 and is the first gold coin minted by the new United States. Miss Liberty is depicted facing right wearing a turban style cap popular during that era. The reverse features what has been called a scrawny looking eagle holding a wreath in its beak and perched on an olive branch.
In 1808 a redesigned version was released that show Miss Liberty facing left, known as the Capped Bust Left design. The reverse was also changed to show the eagle sitting on an olive branch grasping 3 arrows. It was also the first time an American gold coin showed a face value when "5 D." was worked into the design.
The gold half eagle was once again redesigned in 1813 with Miss Liberty's head being enlarged on the coin and being shown only from the neck up.
All of these half eagles are scarce to rare. Wholesale melting of the coins by speculators, primarily in Europe, led to the loss of most of these early gold coins. During that time the coin was worth more in its gold content than face value.
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The $5 Cap Bust Half Eagle is sought after by collectors and investors alike. I don't know of any collector who wouldn't want to own at least one.
 1811 CAPPED BUST GOLD HALF EAGLE $5 MS61 NGC  US $14,750.00 3d 12h 32m |
 RARE BU 1796 DRAPED BUST $5 GOLD EAGLE MINIATURE COIN US $.990 Bid 6d 16h 4m |
 1831 CAPPED BUST $5 AU 58 US $85,000.0013d 21h 27m |
 1803 2 CAPPED BUST GOLD HALF EAGLE $5 AU58 NGC US $13,500.0015d 13h 12m |
 1811 Early Gold $5 Draped Bust PCGS XF 45 Small 5 BD 2 US $7,500.0023d 35m |
 1801 CAPPED BUST G$10 EAGLE EF AU RARE US $13,750.0024d 8h 21m |
