Capped Bust to Right Quarter Eagles 1796-1807

About This Series

Inaugurating the $2.50 gold denomination that would endure for over a century, the Capped Bust to Right Quarter Eagle was among the first gold coins from the Philadelphia Mint. Robert Scot engraved Liberty wearing a turban-like cap facing right, initially paired with a Small Eagle reverse (1796 only) and later a Heraldic Eagle. The 1796 issue is one of the rarest regular-issue U.S. gold coins, with only 963 struck bearing stars on the obverse — a mintage so small that surviving examples are individually tracked. The No Stars variant of 1796 is even rarer and among the most valuable American gold coins. Production gaps characterize the series, reflecting limited demand for this denomination when larger gold coins handled most transactions. The transition from Small Eagle to Heraldic Eagle reverse creates two distinct type coins. The quarter eagle's modest 20 mm diameter made it practical for personal carry. Each surviving specimen represents a tangible connection to the formative years of American gold coinage.

Series Information