The Capped Bust half eagle spans Reich's draped bust, a refined capped head, and a reduced-diameter final type during an era when gold coins often vanished from domestic circulation.

This guide covers 1807–1834 and preserves three catalog types, 41 issue records, and five modeled varieties.

Core specifications

Issue period
1807–1834
Catalog mints
1
Reported catalog mintage
1,784,630
Composition
92% Gold - 8% Silver and Copper
Diameter
Varies by type
Weight
8.75 g

Gold value and die refinement shape the series

John Reich's new left-facing Liberty arrived in 1807 and evolved through repeated portrait and diameter adjustments.

Because the statutory gold value encouraged export or melting, survival and collector availability do not follow mintage figures in a simple way.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

Liberty faces left in a cap; bust truncation, portrait style, star layout, and diameter separate the three catalog types.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

An eagle with shield holds arrows and olive branch beneath E PLURIBUS UNUM, with 5 D. below.

Where the cataloged coins were made

Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.

  • P — Philadelphia: 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825, 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834; 1,784,630. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.

Representative issues that explain the series

Build by the three major formats before attempting overdates or specialized die varieties.

  • 1807 P — 51,605. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1815 P - Bold Relief — 635. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1823 P — 14,485. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1832 P - Curl Base 2 - 12 Stars — 6. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Start with the major type, then study smaller die differences

The current catalog records 5 varieties. A variety name describes repeatable die features; it does not automatically mean error, rarity, or added value.

The issue catalog keeps all 5 modeled varieties attached to their parent issue records.

Issue catalog

1807 P Capped Bust $51808 P Capped Bust $51809 P Capped Bust $5 - 9 Over 81810 P Capped Bust $5 - All Varieties1810 P Capped Bust $5 - Small Date - Small 51810 P Capped Bust $5 - Small Date - Tall 51810 P Capped Bust $5 - Large Date - Small 51810 P Capped Bust $5 - Large Date - Large 51811 P Capped Bust $5 - All Varieties1811 P Capped Bust $5 - Small 51811 P Capped Bust $5 - Tall 51812 P Capped Bust $51813 P Capped Bust $5 - Bold Relief1814 P Capped Bust $5 - 4 Over 3 - Bold Relief1815 P Capped Bust $5 - Bold Relief1818 P Capped Bust $51819 P Capped Bust $51820 P Capped Bust $5 - All Varieties1820 P Capped Bust $5 - Curl Base 2 - Small Letters1820 P Capped Bust $5 - Curl Base 2 - Large Letters1820 P Capped Bust $5 - Square Base 21821 P Capped Bust $51822 P Capped Bust $51823 P Capped Bust $51824 P Capped Bust $51825 P Capped Bust $5 - 5 Over Partial 41825 P Capped Bust $5 - 5 Over 41826 P Capped Bust $51827 P Capped Bust $51828 P Capped Bust $51829 P Capped Bust $5 - Large Date1829 P Capped Bust $5 - Small Date1830 P Capped Bust $5 - Large or Small 5D1831 P Capped Bust $5 - Large or Small 5D1832 P Capped Bust $5 - Curl Base 2 - 12 Stars1832 P Capped Bust $5 - Square Base 2 - 13 Stars1833 P Capped Bust $5 - Large Date1833 P Capped Bust $5 - Small Date1834 P Capped Bust $5 - All Varieties1834 P Capped Bust $5 - Plain 41834 P Capped Bust $5 - Crosslet 4

From one type coin to a complete catalog

  • One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
  • Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
  • Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.
  • Variety study: Choose one date or diagnostic family and record several matching markers for every attribution.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 41 issue records, 5 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. Gold Eagle Coins and Their History — United States Mint
  2. Capped Bust $5 category reference — PCGS CoinFacts