The early $2.50 gold series begins with Robert Scot's right-facing capped Liberty and a reverse that moved from a small eagle to the national heraldic eagle.

This guide follows the local catalog's Draped Bust $2.5 label for 1796–1807. The cataloged design name is Capped Bust, head facing right; the later left-facing Capped Bust series is separate.

Core specifications

Issue period
1796–1807
Catalog mints
1
Reported catalog mintage
19,487
Composition
92% Gold - 8% Silver and Copper
Diameter
20 mm
Weight
4.37 g

A new Mint learns to strike small gold

The Coinage Act of 1792 established the quarter eagle, but regular production waited until the Philadelphia Mint could obtain bullion and master gold coinage.

Low outputs, changing star arrangements, and the reverse transition make this short series a study in early federal die work rather than an ordinary date set.

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 right in a cap, with the date below; the 1796 No Stars and With Stars formats form a central identification split.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

Early coins use a small eagle within an open wreath; later issues use a heraldic eagle with shield and stars.

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: 1796, 1797, 1798, 1802, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807; 19,487. 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

Most collectors approach the series by major reverse type or through one authenticated representative rather than a complete date run.

  • 1796 P - No Stars On Obverse — 963. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1796 P - With Stars On Obverse — 432. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1797 P — 427. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1807 P — 6,812. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Issue catalog

1796 P Draped Bust $2.5 - No Stars On Obverse1796 P Draped Bust $2.5 - With Stars On Obverse1797 P Draped Bust $2.51798 P Draped Bust $2.51802 P Draped Bust $2.51804 P Draped Bust $2.5 - 13 Star Reverse1804 P Draped Bust $2.5 - 14 Star Reverse1805 P Draped Bust $2.51806 P Draped Bust $2.5 - 6 Over 4 - 8 Stars Left - 5 Stars Right1806 P Draped Bust $2.5 - 6 Over 5 - 7 Stars Left - 6 Stars Right1807 P Draped Bust $2.5

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.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 11 issue records, 0 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. Coinage Act of April 2, 1792 — United States Mint
  2. Gold Eagle Coins and Their History — United States Mint
  3. Draped Bust $2.5 category reference — PCGS CoinFacts