The 1795-1797 $10 Gold Capped Bust Right – Small Eagle
The Coinage Act of 1792 created several denominations of United States coins – the Half Cent, the Cent, Half Dimes, Dimes, Quarters, Half Dollars, and Dollars. It also created our gold coinage denominations – $2.50 (Quarter Eagle), $5.00 (Half Eagle) and our largest coin (at the time) – the $10.00 (Eagle).
When the mint began striking coins in 1793, they could only strike copper coins due to security and bonding concerns. They were unable to strike ANY gold coins until 1795. The Chief Engraver of the US Mint, Robert Scot, designed the obverse of the coin to display Miss Liberty, facing right, wearing a Turban-type hat. Above her is the legend “LIBERTY” and there are 10 five-pointed stars behind and five five-pointed stars in front of the face. The date is below the bust.
The reverse depicts a thin (scrawny) eagle holding an olive wreath in its beak. Its head is raised up. Wings are outstretched put pointing downward. An olive branch is within its talons and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” surmounts the eagle around the periphery.
So the initial year, 1795, the US Mint struck 5,583 coins split between two varieties. One variety has 13 leaves on the olive branch and the other variety has only 9 leaves. The 9-leaf variety is significantly scarcer.
The next year, 1796, a lower amount of coins were struck – 4,146, but there is only one variety as the same dies were used to strike all of the coins. The final year of the Small Eagle reverse saw only 3,615 coins struck, again with only one variety.
| Date | Type | Mintage | Fine Value | Unc Value |
| 1795 13 Leaves | Capped Bust Right, Sm Eagle | 5,583 | $27,500 | $150,000 |
| 1795 9 Leaves | Capped Bust Right, Sm Eagle | Included | $80,000 | $300,000 |
| 1796 | Capped Bust Right, Sm Eagle | 4,146 | $35,000 | $300,000 |
| 1797 | Capped Bust Right, Sm Eagle | 3,615 | $45,000 | $400,000 |
Expand your collection today and shop our assortment of Pre-1933 U.S. Gold Coins.
