The Capped Bust $5

After the Draped Bust $5, a new design emerged in 1807 – the Capped Bust $5. When Robert Pattinson succeed US Mint Director Henry DeSaussere, he appointed a German Engraver named John Reich as Robert Scot’s assistant. Scot has been securing his position as Chief Engraver for years, but as he gets older, Mint Officials have been wary that no one would be talented enough to take his position. Despite Scot’s persistence, DeSaussere hired Reich as his assistant but was only allowed other tasks that did not include creating designs for the coins.

Reich’s ability was recognized even by then-President Thomas Jefferson that when Reich decided to return to Europe, DeSaussere did everything just to make him stay. He was offered the permanent position and was now task to redesign all US coins – including the $5 Gold coin.

Reich’s design for the new $5 Gold coin came to be known as the Capped Bust $5. On the obverse, Miss Liberty is seen facing left while wearing a cloth cap with the word LIBERTY written across it. Seven stars are on the left side of the coin and 6 on the other while the date lies just beneath the profile bust. Miss Liberty now looks more like a European woman with her hair resting on her shoulders.

For the reverse,  Heraldic Eagle with the Great Seal of the United States is seen with its widespread wings while clutching a branch of an olive brand and three arrows on its talons. E PLURIBUS UNUM is inscribed on a ribbon just above the Eagle’s head. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the Eagle in a form of an arc while the denomination 5 D. is below.

Types, Varieties, and Mintages of the Capped Bust $5

Type 1 Large Bust, Capped Bust $5

The first type was minted from 1807-1812. The overall size of Miss Liberty’s head was enlarged while the cap she was wearing was lowered. All dates have high mintages and a number of variations were made for the Type 1 Capped Bust $5 but no Proofs were made.

Regular Strike

1807 Bust Left – 51,605 pieces were minted

1808 – 55,578 pieces were minted

•    1808/7

1809 – 33,875 pieces were minted

•    1809/8

1810 – 100,287 pieces were minted

•    1810 Small Date, Small 5
•    1810 Small Date, Tall 5
•    1810 Large Date, Small 5
•    1810 Large Date, Large 5

1811 – 99,581 pieces were minted

•    1811 Small 5
•    1811 Tall 5

1812 – 58,087 pieces were minted

Type 2 Small Bust, Large Diameter Capped Bust $5

 

 

Starting 1813, Miss Liberty’s décolletage was eliminated while the size and shape of her cap were also altered. as for the reverse, aside from the positioning of the arrows and the structure of wings, only minimal changes were made. The Type 2 Capped Bust $5 were minted from 1813-1829. No coins were dated 1816 and 1817.

Regular Strike

1813 – 95,428 pieces were minted     –

1814 – 15,454 pieces were minted

•    1814/3

1815 – 635 pieces were minted

1818 – 48,588 pieces were minted

•    1818
•    1818 5D/50
•    1818 STATESOF

1819 – 51,723 pieces were minted

•    1819
•    1819 5D/50

1820 – 263,806 pieces were minted

•    1820 Square 2
•    1820 Curl 2-Small Letters
•    1820 Curl 2-Large Letters

1821 – 34,631 pieces were minted

1822 – 17,796 pieces were minted

1823 – 14,485 pieces were minted

1824 – 17,340 pieces were minted

1825 – 29,060 pieces were minted

•    1825/4/1
•    1825/4

1826 – 18,069 pieces were minted

1827 – 24,913 pieces were minted

1828 – 28,029 pieces were minted

•    1828/7

1829 – 25,375 pieces were minted

•    1829 Large Size

Proofs

1820 – 5 pieces were minted

1821 – 3 pieces were minted

1825/1 – 3 pieces were minted

1826 – 3 pieces were minted

1828 – 5 pieces were minted

1829 Large Size – 5 pieces were minted

Type 3 Small Diameter Capped Bust $5

The third and last type of the Capped Bust $5 now has a closed collar which resulted in uniform diameter among all coins struck. Minting started from 1829 up until 1834. Many variations were produced like a different number of stars in the obverse and large and small dates. Modifications were made to accommodate the new technology in striking the coins.

Regular Strike

1829 – 32,076 pieces were minted

•    1829 Small Size

1830 – 126,351 pieces were minted

•    1830 Small 5D
•    1830 Large 5D

1831 – 140,594 pieces were minted

•    1831 Small 5D
•    1831 Large 5D

1832 – 157,487 pieces were minted

•    1832 12 Stars
•    1832 13 Stars

1833 – 193,630 pieces were minted

•    1833 Large Date
•    1833 Small Date

1834 – 50,141 pieces were minted

•    1834 Capped-Plain 4
•    1834 Capped-Cross 4

Proofs

1829 Small Size – 5 pieces were minted

1830 – 3 pieces were minted

1831 – 3 pieces were minted

1832 – 3 pieces were minted

1833 Large Date – 5 pieces were minted

Collecting Capped Bust $5    

The Capped Bust $5 can be pricey – much like any US Gold Coins. For the Type 1 series, variations include 1808/7 and 1809/8 overdates aside from the different-sized dates and denominations. One can buy PCGS-graded Type 1 Capped Bust $5 in Mint State from $1,750.00-300,000.00.

One can buy PCGS-graded Type 2 Capped Bust $5 in Mint State from $3,250.00-$850,000.00 and for $1,000,000.00-$2,000,000.00 Proofs.

One can buy PCGS-graded Type 3 Capped Bust $5 in Mint State from $18,500.00-$600,000.00 and for $175,000.00-$1,500,000.00 for Proofs.

References:

PCGS, PCGS CoinFacts, NGC Coin, USA Coin Book