1791 Washington - Small Eagle Cent

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,800 • VF35 • 01-2015 • Heritage Auctions

Description

Struck in copper at 10 grams with a 28 mm diameter and plain edge, this 1791 Washington cent features a small eagle reverse that distinguishes it from the large eagle variants produced in the same period. Cataloged as Baker 15, Musante GW-15, Whitman 10560, and PCGS #705, the coin belongs to the Washington Pieces series encompassing tokens, medals, and pattern-like issues produced between 1783 and 1800 that bear George Washington's portrait. The obverse presents a military bust of Washington facing right, while the reverse displays a diminutive naturalistic eagle — a design approach that predates the heraldic eagle adopted for official federal coinage beginning in 1798. An auction record of $4,800 for a VF35 specimen at Heritage Auctions in January 2015 provides a market benchmark, though prices vary significantly with condition and pedigree. Very rare regardless of die variety, the 1791 Washington cents were produced during the critical transition period when the United States was debating the establishment of a permanent mint and the design of its national coinage. Some numismatic scholars have interpreted Washington-portrait pieces from this era as unofficial pattern proposals intended to influence Congressional deliberations, while others view them as commercially motivated tokens produced in England for the American market. The small eagle reverse connects this issue to the broader family of early American eagle designs that evolved through numerous experimental iterations before Congress settled on the final Heraldic Eagle motif.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. 1791 Washington cents are scarce regardless of variety.

Cross References

Baker 15; Musante GW-15; Whitman 10560