1795 $5 Small Eagle AU55 Certification #03739851, PCGS #8066

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

David Akers (1975/88)

Although not particularly scarce by Half Eagle standards, the 1795 Small Eagle is nevertheless a relatively high priced coin due to its status as the first U.S. gold coin and its popularity as a type coin. It is much more common than the other dates of this type and is fairly obtainable in AU-Unc. condition. Gems, that is MS-65 or better coins, are rare but still occasionally available. Proof-like surfaces are the norm rather than the exception but no true proofs exist. There are, however, several first strike specimens that have the characteristics of "presentation" pieces.

One interesting variety exists with the second S in STATES over the letter D. This variety, although more rare than the varieteies with the plain S, does not generally command a premium.

Ron Guth

Harry Bass and John Dannreuther identified 12 different die varieties of the 1795 Small Eagle $5 gold piece, all of which are scarce, and some of which are exceedingly rare. Some examples show adjustment marks (parallel file marks caused by filing the planchet to bring the weight down to standard); these are considered mint-caused defects that affect the value of the coin only minimally (actual scratches can have a major, detrimental effect on value depending on quantity and severity).

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties" by John W. Dannreuther and Harry W. Bass, Jr.

"United States Half Eagle Gold Coins 1795 to 1834" by Robert W. Miller, Sr.

"Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia Of U.S. And Colonial Coins" by Walter Breen

PCGS #

8066

Designer

Robert Scot

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

25.00 millimeters

Weight

8.75 grams

Mintage

8707

Metal

91.7% Gold, 8.3% Copper

Pop Higher

126

Pop Lower

156

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	550	R-5.9	5 / 5	20 / 23 TIE
All Grades	100	R-8.0	4 / 5	13 / 23 TIE
60 or Better	5	R-9.7	1 / 5	7 / 23 TIE

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	550
All Grades	100
60 or Better	5

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-5.9
All Grades	R-8.0
60 or Better	R-9.7

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	5 / 5
All Grades	4 / 5
60 or Better	1 / 5

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	20 / 23 TIE
All Grades	13 / 23 TIE
60 or Better	7 / 23 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65 PCGS grade	J. Colvin Randall Collection - W. Elliot Woodward 6/1885:866 - Harold P. Newlin - T. Harrison Garrett Collection - Robert Garrett Collection - John Work Garrett Collection - Johns Hopkins University Collection - Bowers & Ruddy 11/1979:433 - William Mitkoff - Anthony Terranova - Paramount (David Akers), sold privately in 4/1986 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 9/2015:2069, $646,250
1	MS65 PCGS grade	Superior 3/2001:798, $212,750
1	MS65 PCGS grade	Bowers & Merena 8/1998:317, not sold - Goldbergs 9/1999:1733, $207,000 - Superior 3/2000:807, $230,000 - Stack's 6/2008:2052, $586,500
1	MS65 estimated grade	Robert Batchelder, sold privately at the 1962 A.N.A. Convention - Jimmy Hayes Collection - Stack’s “Auction ‘84” 7/1984:1413 - Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part II - Bowers & Merena 10/1999:711, $138,000 - Heritage 1/2015:4271, $587,500
5	MS64+ PCGS grade

#1 MS65 PCGS grade

J. Colvin Randall Collection - W. Elliot Woodward 6/1885:866 - Harold P. Newlin - T. Harrison Garrett Collection - Robert Garrett Collection - John Work Garrett Collection - Johns Hopkins University Collection - Bowers & Ruddy 11/1979:433 - William Mitkoff - Anthony Terranova - Paramount (David Akers), sold privately in 4/1986 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 9/2015:2069, $646,250

#1 MS65 PCGS grade

Superior 3/2001:798, $212,750

#1 MS65 PCGS grade

Bowers & Merena 8/1998:317, not sold - Goldbergs 9/1999:1733, $207,000 - Superior 3/2000:807, $230,000 - Stack's 6/2008:2052, $586,500

#1 MS65 estimated grade

Robert Batchelder, sold privately at the 1962 A.N.A. Convention - Jimmy Hayes Collection - Stack’s “Auction ‘84” 7/1984:1413 - Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part II - Bowers & Merena 10/1999:711, $138,000 - Heritage 1/2015:4271, $587,500

#5 MS64+ PCGS grade