Capped Bust to Right Eagles 1795-1804

About This Series

As the first ten-dollar gold coins struck by the United States Mint, Capped Bust to Right eagles held the distinction of being the largest denomination in regular American coinage when production began in 1795. Robert Scot's design pairs a Liberty portrait wearing a conical cap with two reverse types: the Small Eagle (1795-1797), featuring a delicate bird perched on a palm branch within a wreath, and the imposing Heraldic Eagle (1797-1804) displaying the Great Seal motif. The 1795 issue includes the celebrated 9 Leaves and 13 Leaves palm frond varieties, which serve as the primary die diagnostic for the earliest eagle production. Production ceased entirely after 1804 because eagles were being exported to Europe and melted for their gold content — the coins' face value was lower than their bullion value at prevailing exchange rates, making them profitable for international speculators to extract from domestic circulation. No eagles were struck again until 1838, a 34-year hiatus representing the longest gap in any major U.S. denomination. Struck in .9167 fine gold at 17.50 grams on a 33mm planchet, these coins carried enormous purchasing power. The Bass-Dannreuther reference provides definitive die variety coverage, and the series' combination of historical significance and genuine rarity makes it a pinnacle pursuit for gold collectors.

Series Information