In 1795 the first regular coin struck for the United States was the gold half eagle. Later in the year the first ten dollar gold pieces were made. The eagle had one obverse and two reverses, all designed by Robert Scot, the Chief Engraver. The obverse showed a plump Liberty facing right wearing an oversized soft cap. It is said that the portrait was taken from a sketch by the famous portrait artist Gilbert Stuart. This Capped Bust to Right design was used until 1804. It was combined with a Small Eagle Reverse from 1795 to 1797. The reverse showed a scrawny eagle holding a wreath in its mouth. The second reverse was Heraldic Eagle Reverse. The newer reverse, used from 1797 to 1804, had mixed up heraldry in that the arrows and olive branch were held in the wrong talons. No denomination is indicated on these coins since gold was valued by its weight and fineness as it was in Europe.
Production of the gold eagle was suspended as of December 1804 on verbal orders of President Thomas Jefferson. In July 1838, two acts of Congress changed the weight and fineness standard for United States gold coins, and Robert Patterson, the Mint Director, was ordered to resume production of the eagle. Acting Mint Engraver Christian Gobrecht designed Liberty Head or Coronet eagle. There are two types of Coronet eagles, Type 1 of 1838 to 1866 and Type 2 of 1867 to 1907.
Capped Bust To Right (1795-1804); Liberty Head No Motto (1838-1866); Liberty Head With Motto (1866-1907); Indian Head (1907-1933)
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In 1795 the first regular coin struck for the United States was the gold half eagle. Later in the year the first ten dollar gold pieces were made. The eagle had one obverse and two reverses, all designed by Robert Scot, the Chief Engraver. The obverse showed a plump Liberty facing right wearing an oversized soft cap. It is said that the portrait was taken from a sketch by the famous portrait artist Gilbert Stuart. This Capped Bust to Right design was used until 1804. It was combined with a Small Eagle Reverse from 1795 to 1797. The reverse showed a scrawny eagle holding a wreath in its mouth. The second reverse was Heraldic Eagle Reverse. The newer reverse, used from 1797 to 1804, had mixed up heraldry in that the arrows and olive branch were held in the wrong talons. No denomination is indicated on these coins since gold was valued by its weight and fineness as it was in Europe.
Production of the gold eagle was suspended as of December 1804 on verbal orders of President Thomas Jefferson. In July 1838, two acts of Congress changed the weight and fineness standard for United States gold coins, and Robert Patterson, the Mint Director, was ordered to resume production of the eagle. Acting Mint Engraver Christian Gobrecht designed Liberty Head or Coronet eagle. There are two types of Coronet eagles, Type 1 of 1838 to 1866 and Type 2 of 1867 to 1907.
Capped Bust To Right (1795-1804); Liberty Head No Motto (1838-1866); Liberty Head With Motto (1866-1907); Indian Head (1907-1933)
