The 1798 Capped Bust Eagle (Buy on eBay) was struck in two varieties, each with an extremely limited mintage. All of the eagles for this year are also overdates, which used dies from the previous year with an “8” punched over the final digit “7.”
The first variety displays nine stars to the left of Liberty and four stars to the right. This 9×4 variety has an estimated mintage of 900 pieces, with fewer than 100 survivors.
The second variety shows seven stars to the left and six stars to the right. Additionally, the inscription LIBERTY appears next to the right set of stars without any interruption. The 9×4 variety has a space where the top of Liberty’s cap interrupts the inscription and the arc of stars. The 7×6 variety has an estimated original mintage of 842 pieces, with only 20 to 30 pieces still believed to exist.
Coin Specifications
- Designer: Robert Scot
- Composition: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Silver and Copper
- Weight: 17.50 grams
- Diameter: 33 mm
- Edge: Reeded
