Coin

5 Dollars Capped Bust (1829) — United States

United States • 1829 • KM# 43, PCGS# 8116-8121, 8123-8125, etc.

5 Dollars Capped Bust (1829) — United States

Overview

A Proof strike gold 5 Dollars coin of the United States, known as the Capped Bust type. The obverse features Capped Liberty facing left, surrounded by 13 stars. The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle with a Union shield. Minted in 1829 with a limited mintage of 3 pieces. Composed of .9167 gold with a reeded edge and characteristic Proof finish.

Specifications

Country
United States
Year
1829
Composition
Gold (.9167) (.0833 silver and copper)
Weight
8.75 g
Diameter
25 mm
Mint
United States Mint of Philadelphia, United States (1792-date)
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
KM# 43, PCGS# 8116-8121, 8123-8125, etc.
Issuer
United States

Design details

Obverse

Capped liberty facing left, surrounded by 13 stars, with the date below. Script: Latin Lettering: LIBERTY 1813 Designers: John Reich, William Kneass

Reverse

Heraldic eagle with Union shield and holding 3 arrows and an olive branch, motto above Script: Latin Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA E PLURIBUS UNUM 5 D. Designers: John Reich, William Kneass

Collector insights

  • Design heritage: John Reich, William Kneass is credited as the designer for the Standard circulation coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
  • Struck at: United States Mint of Philadelphia, United States (1792-date). Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
  • Low mintage: Only 3 pieces reported. This puts the issue into key-date territory for its series; expect steep grade-based price scaling and a higher counterfeit risk — provenance and third-party grading matter.
  • Precious metal content: Gold (.9167) (.0833 silver and copper) — bullion value provides a price floor, and many circulated examples were melted during the 1979–1980 and post-2010 silver spikes, reducing the surviving population.
  • Catalogue reference: Listed as KM# 43, PCGS# 8116-8121, 8123-8125, etc.. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

Curator Insights

Historical context

During the late 1820s, the United States maintained a bimetallic standard that inadvertently undervalued gold relative to silver, causing much of the domestic gold coinage to be exported and melted abroad. The 1829 Capped Bust five-dollar gold piece, also known as a Half Eagle, was produced during the transition of the Philadelphia Mint's equipment and methods under Chief Coiner Adam Eckfeldt. This specific specimen represents the height of early American minting technology applied to a standard circulation design.

Design heritage

The obverse features Liberty wearing a cloth cap inscribed with her name, surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original colonies, a motif originally developed by John Reich and refined by William Kneass. The reverse displays a heraldic eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch, symbolizing the nation's readiness for defense and desire for peace. The inclusion of the motto 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' and the denomination '5 D.' reflects the formal heraldic requirements of the era.

Varieties and technical notes

This specific issue is characterized by its proof finish, featuring mirrored fields and frosted devices achieved through multiple strikes by the press. Collectors should observe the reeded edge for consistency and the sharp definition of the union shield on the eagle's breast. As a technical product of the Philadelphia Mint, these pieces demonstrate the specific die-alignment standards required for presentation coinage of the period.

Survival and modern availability

With a confirmed mintage of only three pieces, this issue is among the rarest gold coins in the American numismatic canon. Most gold coins of this era were lost to the melting pots following the Weight Act of 1834, which adjusted the gold-to-silver ratio. The survival of this specific proof issue is restricted to elite museum collections and the highest tier of private holdings, making it a cornerstone of 19th-century American gold rarities.

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