1821 Proof Capped Head to Left Half Eagle

Coin Details

Auction Record

$198,000 PR63 10-01-1987 Bowers & Merena

Description

The 1821 Proof Capped Head to Left Half Eagle is a proof Gold Half Eagle struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Capped Head to Left Half Eagles 1813-1834 series. With a mintage of only 3, this is an extremely rare issue. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a cap with curls of hair beneath, while the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. Designed by Robert Scot & John Reich. Struck in 91.7% gold, 8.3% copper, weighing 8.75 grams, 25 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #8142. The Capped Head Half Eagle includes some of the rarest regular-issue gold coins in U.S. The 1815 Half Eagle (only 635 struck) is one of the most famous U.S. gold rarities. Many dates in the reduced-size group have mintages under 5,000.