1812 $5 Capped Bust Half Eagle PCGS MS63 CAC
2026/10/15
website seemed "clunky"
2026/10/15
been doing this for the grandkids for years they enjoy them
2026/10/15
System has trouble switching between order screens, payment and shipping. Back and forth loop several times.
2026/10/15
Ordering was simple. Not complicated at all.
2026/10/14
Great product
2026/10/13
Great no issues
Introduction
The 1812 $5 Capped Bust Half Eagle is an early United States gold coin from the final year of John Reich's Capped Bust Left design. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this historic Half Eagle represents an important period in the development of American gold coinage. This example is graded PCGS MS63 and has received CAC approval, combining Choice Uncirculated preservation with an additional assessment of quality within the assigned grade.
History
The United States Mint began producing $5 Half Eagles in 1795, making the denomination one of the earliest gold coins issued by the federal government. In 1807, engraver John Reich introduced a redesigned Half Eagle featuring a left-facing portrait of Liberty and a modified heraldic eagle reverse. This Capped Bust Left design remained in production through 1812 before being replaced by a new Capped Head design in 1813.
The Philadelphia Mint struck 58,087 Half Eagles in 1812, marking the final year of the Capped Bust Left series. Although the 1812 issue is among the more obtainable dates of its type, surviving examples in Choice Uncirculated condition remain significant pieces of early American numismatic history. With its PCGS MS63 grade and CAC approval, this example offers collectors a well-preserved representative of a short-lived early federal gold design.
Design
The obverse features John Reich's left-facing portrait of Liberty wearing a soft cap, with drapery visible at the neckline. Thirteen stars representing the original states surround the portrait, while LIBERTY appears above and the date 1812 is positioned below.
The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings and a shield on its breast. The eagle holds arrows and an olive branch in its talons, while a ribbon inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM appears above. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the design, and the denomination 5 D. appears below the eagle. The inclusion of the denomination on the reverse distinguishes this design from earlier Half Eagle issues that did not display a face value.
| Year | 1812 |
|---|---|
| Metal | Gold |
| Grade | MS63 |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Weight | .2579 |
| Fineness | 0.9167 |
| Diameter | 25 mm |
A LITTLE STICKER MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.
Within each number of the coin grading scale is a small range of condition from low-end to high-end. Certified coins of the same grade can be of varying quality. Many of today’s collectors want coins that are solid or premium quality for their assigned grade. CAC holds coins to a higher standard so you can be confident in the value of yours. We verify previously graded coins … and award our sticker only to those coins that meet the standard for today’s selective buyer.
WHAT THE CAC STICKER MEANS:
- Verified. Your coin has been verified as meeting the standard for strict quality within its grade.
- Guaranteed. CAC stands behind our verification.
THE CAC STICKER IS BACKED BY EXPERIENCE.
CAC was founded by leading members of the numismatic community, including John Albanese, a respected authority on coin grading and the rare coin market.
