1795 $5 Capped Bust Gold Half Eagle AU-58 PCGS (Small Eagle)

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In the earliest days of United States coinage, the Philadelphia Mint produced a gold piece of exceptional beauty and historical importance. The 1795 Capped Bust Gold Half Eagle represents the very beginning of the five dollar gold denomination in America, originating from an incredibly small initial mintage of just 8,707 pieces. Because these coins were struck without a mint mark, their origin is tied directly to the nation's first minting facility in Philadelphia. The obverse of this gold coin displays a classic bust wearing a stylized cap, surrounded by stars and the date 1795. On the reverse, a slender, delicate bird known as the Small Eagle holds a wreath in its beak, a design motif that was used only briefly in the nation's early years. This particular specimen survives in an extraordinary state of preservation, certified as Almost Uncirculated 58 (AU-58), which means it retains much of its original luster and detail from more than two centuries ago. Struck from 0.9167 fine gold, this historic coin contains 0.2579 troy ounces of precious metal. As one of the earliest gold issues authorized by the young United States, it stands as a testament to the country's formative monetary system and the elegant artistry of late eighteenth-century hand-engraved dies.