United States 1799 5 dollars
This type was struck at the Philadelphia mint 1795-1807 and supersedes an earlier type with a smaller eagle on the reverse. The heraldic eagle reverse was introduced in 1798 but 1795's and 1797's exist, likely minted in 1798 using older dies. The earlier type is very rare, this type is only rare. All the Federal gold coinage is scarce prior to the 1830's, being minted in small quantities and much of it promptly exported and melted. The original poster commented, "Only 7,451 officially minted of this date; however, speculation suggests some were minted in, and therefore, shared a part of 1800's total mintage. Total numbers are estimated to have been more to the tune of 11,000-14,000 actually produced. A total of nine die varieties are known to this day, and they fall into the major "Small Reverse Stars" and "Large Reverse Stars" varieties ~ (A total of seven small stars and two large stars). Judging from auction records and personal observation at major numismatic venues, the Large Star variety is decidedly more scarce. A total of 160 or so have been graded by PCGS & NGC; however, the actual existing number is most likely less, due to unaccounted grading resubmissions."
Recorded mintage: 7,451.
Specification: 8.75 g, 0.917 fine gold, 25 mm diameter, designed by Robert Scot.
Catalog reference: KM 30.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Alexander, David T., Coin World Comprehensive Catalog & Encyclopedia of United States Coins, Sidney, OH: Amos Press, 1995.
- Breen, Walter H., Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins, New York: Doubleday, 1987.
- Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.
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