$5 Cap Bust Gold

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.