1825 Proof Capped Head to Left Half Eagle - 1825/4/1

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The 1825 Proof Capped Head to Left Half Eagle - 1825/4/1 is a proof Gold Half Eagle struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Capped Head to Left Half Eagles 1813-1834 series. This is an overdate variety where the die shows evidence of multiple date corrections. In the early Mint era, dies were expensive to produce, so rather than discard a die with the wrong date, Mint workers would punch the new date digits over the old ones. The traces of the previous dates remain visible under magnification. No record was kept of how many proofs were struck. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a cap with curls of hair beneath and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. Struck during a period of national unity and westward expansion following the War of 1812, as the U.S. grew in confidence and territory. As a proof issue, this coin was struck multiple times on specially prepared polished planchets using polished dies, producing mirror-like fields and frosted design elements. Struck in 91.7% gold, 8.3% silver and copper, weighing 8.75 grams, 25 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #8145.