1797 Capped Bust to Right Half Eagle

About This Coin

The 1797 Capped Bust to Right Half Eagle is a United States Gold Half Eagle from the Capped Bust to Right Half Eagles 1795-1807 series — 3rd of 12 years in the series. In 1797, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a combined mintage of 8,275. This represents the second-lowest annual mintage in the series, below the series median of 33,345. The obverse features Liberty facing right wearing a cloth cap (pileus) and the reverse displays a small, naturalistic eagle perched on a palm branch within a wreath (1795-1798) or a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM (1795-1807). Both 15-star and 16-star obverse varieties exist, reflecting the addition of Tennessee to the Union. Struck in 91.7% gold, 8.3% copper, weighing 8.75 grams, 25 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Struck one year after the 1796 key date, the lowest-mintage regular issue in the series. Across its variants, estimated values range from $35K to $241K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $212K in AU55 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by Robert Scot.