This coin is the first gold coin ever put into circulation in the United States. It is referred to today as the Capped Bust to Right obverse with Small Eagle reverse. The obverse depicts Miss Liberty, wearing a cloth cap, facing right, with LIBERTY to the right above and the date below. There are typically 10 stars to the left and five to the right, but one variety of 1797 has 16 stars arranged, 11 to the left and five to the right.

The reverse shows an eagle perched on a palm branch holding a wreath aloft in its beak. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds. There is no mark or indication of value on the piece.

Several hundred examples survive of various 1795-1798 half eagles with the Small Eagle reverse. Most of these bear the date of the first year of issue, 1795. Most surviving specimens are in grades from Very Fine through AU, but over the years a number have been designated as Uncirculated. Among 1795 half eagles, AU and Uncirculated coins often possess prooflike surfaces.

By this period, as evidenced by the number of coins produced in any given year, the Double Eagle was an extremely popular coin. Yet, few, as evidenced by the scant number of proof coins struck, were produced with the collector in mind. In 1866 the reverse of the Coronet or Liberty Head style was modified by adding the motto IN GOD WE TRUST within the circle of stars above the eagle. This motto was continued from this point forward. The type minted from 1866 through 1876 is defined by the combination of the IN GOD WE TRUST motto with the denomination below expressed as TWENTY D. In 1877 the denomination was expressed differently, thus isolating the earlier issues as a distinct type. Production was continuous at the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints. Carson City coins were produced beginning in 1870, with 1870-CC being, a rarity today. Proofs in all instances are exceedingly rare.

In 1807 John Reich redesigned the half eagle. The obverse depicts Miss Liberty facing left, wearing a cloth cap inscribed LIBERTY, with seven stars to the left and six to the right. The reverse shows an eagle perched on a palm branch, holding three arrows, with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM on a ribbon or band above. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 5 D. surrounds. This style was produced from 1807 through 1812..

Although there are some scarce die varieties within the 1807-1812 span, there are no rare dates, and the type set collector can choose from virtually any date desired. Specimens are available in all grades, with Very Fine to AU coins appearing on the market with some frequency, (relatively speaking, of course). Uncirculated coins are offered from time to time, especially when great collections are dispersed, and typically have frosty rather than prooflike surfaces.

True to form, very few gold coins in early years were produced as Proofs. It is suggested that since Proof pieces usually carried a healthy premium, people chose to collect coins that were infinitely less valuable to begin with. To store something as valuable as gold, just for the purpose of collecting, seemed unfashionable to say the least

In 1813 the John Reich design was modified to a portrait featuring the head and part of the neck of Miss Liberty, facing left, an abbreviated version of the earlier style. In the new version, the stars completely surround the head, and the date is below. The reverse motif remains the same. From 1813 to 1829 half eagles were minted with a diameter of 25 mm. In 1829 the diameter was reduced to 22.5 mm and certain other modifications occurred, under the direction of William Kneass. Technically speaking, the 1829-1834 reduced diameter format can be considered a separate type, but as half eagles of this era are exceedingly rare, most numismatists have been content to consider the span 1813-1834 as a single design Although mintages were fairly generous for many half eagles from 1813 through 1834, nearly all of the issues in this span are great rarities today. The type set collector will have the best luck and the best use of his money if an issue such as 1813, 1814/3, 1818, or 1820 is selected, none of which will be inexpensive, but other issues are apt to be much more costly.

As is the case with the quarter eagle, this coin was struck in reverse. The areas of the coin typically raised were recessed and the field, which was typically recessed, was raised. This design contained an inherent flaw as coins were easily marred or scuffed often times in the mint bag before they had a chance to be circulated.

The obverse depicts an Indian chief facing left, LIBERTY above, six stars to the left and seven to the right, and the date below. The reverse shows an eagle perched on a branch or a log with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above, E PLURIBUS UNUM to the left, IN GOD WE TRUST to the right and the denomination expressed as FIVE DOLLARS below. Mintage was accomplished at Philadelphia from 1908 through 1915 and again in 1929. Denver struck half eagles of this type from 1909 through 1911 and again in 1914. San Francisco half eagles were made from 1908 through 1916.

The availability of Indian Head quarter eagles to the type set collector is similar to that of related quarter eagles. Examples in grades from Very Fine to AU are easily obtained. Uncirculated pieces are scarce, and superb Uncirculated coins are seldom seen.

Known as the "Classic Head style, the new 1834 issue is a cousin to the quarter eagle of the same date. Consistent with the design of the Quarter Eagle, the Half Eagle contained less gold and more copper. In examining any gold coin of the era, the presence of copper is often evidenced by the spotting of coins as the copper oxidizes.

The obverse depicts the head of Miss Liberty facing left, her hair secured by a band inscribed LIBERTY, with stars circling her head, and with the date below. The reverse shows an eagle with a shield on its breast, perched on an olive branch and holding three arrows. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 5 D. surrounds. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, used earlier, was discontinued. Quarter eagles of this style were produced at the Philadelphia Mint continuously from 1834 through 1838 and at Charlotte and Dahlonega in 1838 only. Most of the mintage was accomplished at Philadelphia. Charlotte and Dahlonega pieces are rare.

The type set collector can readily obtain examples of Philadelphia issues in this span in grades from Very Fine to Extremely Fine. AU coins are scarce, Uncirculated pieces are elusive, and superb Uncirculated coins are very rare. Most examples are not sharply struck on the higher parts of the obverse.

Note the same design, experienced a change in diametric size after 1840. This created a thicker coin which was more easily struck with greater detail. Because detail was likely enhanced at production, the type set collector will have no problem acquiring one of the more plentiful dates in any desired grade from Very Fine through AU, with a typical grade encountered being Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Uncirculated pieces are scarce, and superb Uncirculated coins are very rare. Proofs were made in limited quantities and are rarities.

The Coronet design, also called the Liberty Head or Braided Hair type, made its appearance in the half eagle series in 1839. The obverse depicts a female head facing left, her hair tied in a bun secured by a string of beads, wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, stars surrounding, and with the date below. The reverse shows an eagle with a shield on its breast, perched on an olive branch and holding three arrows. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FIVE D. surrounds.

Coinage was accomplished at the Philadelphia Mint on a continuous basis during the span indicated. Additional pieces were made from time to time at Charlotte, Dahlonega, New Orleans, and San Francisco. In general, Charlotte and Dahlonega pieces are scarce.

It seldom occurred that mintages of coins of same denomination overlapped from one production span to another. In this case, both the Coronet design and Coronet with Motto design both occurred in 1866. To have a single Half Eagle dated 1866 will not complete your collection.

In 1866 the Coronet style was modified by adding the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on a ribbon above the eagle on the reverse. Apart from this, the motif with Liberty Head on the obverse and perched eagle on the reverse is the same used in earlier years. Mintage of the with-motto style was continuous at the Philadelphia Mint during the span indicated. Additional coins were made at San Francisco, Carson City, New Orleans, and, in 1906 and 1907, at the new Denver Mint.

The type set collector has a wide choice of issues in this span. Coins in grades from Very Fine to AU are readily encountered. Uncirculated pieces are plentiful as well. Superb Uncirculated coins are apt to be dated during the last decade of production and are considerably scarcer.