1797 Capped Bust Large Eagle $10 Eagle

The earliest United States silver and gold coins featured an eagle on the reverse, widely ridiculed as a scrawny, weakling bird. Mint officials were concerned about the image of the nation conveyed oversees by United States coinage. A search began to find a more powerful emblem, one that would engender respect in the Old World.⁽¹⁾

The Great Seal of the United States was finally chosen to grace the reverse. The Great Seal had been officially sanctioned in 1782 for display on diplomatic documents, but now it was employed to elevate the image of the United States, through its coinage, to one suggestive of power and strength. Chief Engraver Robert Scot adapted the Great Seal to the nation’s coins.

In many numismatic references, the regal bird element is named the “Heraldic Eagle” reverse. Many others simply call it the “Large Eagle” reverse.

In mid-1797, Capped Bust $10 eagles featuring the large eagle reverse commenced production, switching over from the small eagle design. Mint records suggest a production of 10,940 for the 1797 Large Eagle, but detailed studies of die states and emission sequences propose a broader range of 8,750 to 12,500 pieces struck.⁽²⁾

Experts estimate today a survivorship of 250 examples of the 1797 Capped Bust Large Eagle.⁽³⁾

There are three die varieties, distinguished by the shape of the eagle's neck and the position of the star to the left of the beak. The BD-3 die variety is the least encountered of the three.⁽⁴⁾

As one might expect for an early U.S. gold coin with historical significance, long-term price trends for the 1797 Capped Bust Large Eagle $10 have been steadily strong. There is no reason to believe this pattern will not continue far into the future.

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Last updated 9-9-23		Return to Key Date Coin List
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