Capped Bust to Right, Heraldic Eagle (1795-1807)

In 1797, Robert Scot created a heraldic reverse design for the half eagle and eagle, a theme that would eventually be echoed on all U.S. coins except for the half cent and cent. (Coins of this type dated 1795 are thought to have been struck in 1798.) Scot's Heraldic Eagle reverse borrowed heavily from the Great Seal of the United States, which was affixed to all official government documents.

The success of the half eagle depended on the quantity of gold bullion deposited at the Mint. Because only small amounts of gold were received by the Mint in its early years, quan¬tities struck for this type are generally low. However, mintages trended upward as the years passed. Coins were struck in every year except 1801, when all of the gold deposits were used to strike $10 coins. The 1795-dated Heraldic Eagle half eagle was actually struck later, using an odd combination of a leftover 1795 obverse and a reverse of the new type. Most likely, this odd "mule" was struck in 1798, at the same time as the 1798 Small Eagle-reverse half eagle. This type is replete with interesting varieties, including some overdates {1797/5, 1802/1 and 1803/2). In 1797, obverses can be found with either 15 or 16 Stars {this number was low¬ered to 13 stars beginning in 1798). In 1798, obverses come with either a large or a small 8 in the date and, on the reverse, either 13 or 14 stars float above the eagle's head. As with most early American gold and silver coins, this type often has problems with adjustment marks and/or weak or uneven strikes. Buyers should also beware of cleaned and/or repaired examples. All examples of this type were struck at the Philadelphia Mint (the only coinage facility existing at the time). No Proofs were made, but one 1795 eagle with a Heraldic Eagle reverse has been certified as a Specimen.

Designed by Robert Scot. Same obverse design as the previous. The reverse features a heraldic eagle, patterned after the Great Seal of the United States. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the eagle. Edge: reeded. Standards: weight, 8.75 grams; composition, 91.67% gold/ 8.33°/o silver and copper; diameter, 25 mm.