1798 Turban Head Gold $5 Half Eagle : All Varieties

Heraldic Eagle Reverse - Capped Bust - Head Facing Right

Mintage: 24,867

Minted at: Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)

Designer - Engraver: Robert Scot

Metal Composition: 92% Gold - 8% Silver and Copper

Diameter: 25 mm

Mass / Weight: 8.75 grams

What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.):

There were a few major varieties of the 1798 $5 Gold Turban Head Half Eagle. The first variety to look at deals with the size of the "8" in the 1798 date. One variety had a Small "8" and the other had a Large "8" - with the Large "8" noticeably much wider than the smaller "8". The difference between the Small "8" vs Large "8" is depicted above in the example comparison image.

The Large "8" variety had two major sub-varieties dealing with the number of stars on the reverse (or back) of the coin. One variety featured 13 Stars above the eagle and the other had 14 Stars. The difference between the 13 Stars vs 14 Stars is depicted below in the example comparison image (Source of example images is courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries):

Major Varieties:
1798 Turban Head $5 Gold Half Eagle - Small 8
1798 Turban Head $5 Gold Half Eagle - Large 8 - 13 Stars
1798 Turban Head $5 Gold Half Eagle - Large 8 - 14 Stars

Coin Value Chart: Typical Coin Prices, Values and Worth in USD based on Grade/Condition. Numismatic portion of the values last updated February 2026, precious metal portion of the values is updated live!

Good
(G-4) Very Good
(VG-8) Fine
(F-12) Very Fine
(VF-20) Extremely Fine
(EF-40) About Uncirculated
(AU-50) Uncirculated
(MS-60) Uncirculated
(MS-63) Proof
(PR-63)

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MELT VALUE: $1099.55

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More 1798 Gold $5 Half Eagle Mints/Varieties

1798 Gold $5 Half Eagle1798 Gold $5 Half Eagle: All Varieties1798 Gold $5 Half Eagle: Small 81798 Gold $5 Half Eagle: Large 8 - 13 Star Reverse1798 Gold $5 Half Eagle: Large 8 - 14 Star Reverse View Entire Turban Head Gold $5 Half Eagle Coin List

Even More Turban Head Gold $5 Half Eagle Years/Mints/Varieties

1797 Gold $5 Half Eagle: 16 Stars Obverse - Unique - Smithsonian Collection1797 Gold $5 Half Eagle: 15 Stars Obverse - Unique - Smithsonian Collection1797 Gold $5 Half Eagle: 7 Over 51797 Gold $5 Half Eagle: 16 Stars1797 Gold $5 Half Eagle: 15 Stars1799 Gold $5 Half Eagle1800 Gold $5 Half Eagle1802 Gold $5 Half Eagle: 2 Over 11803 Gold $5 Half Eagle: 3 Over 21804 Gold $5 Half Eagle: All Varieties View Entire Turban Head Gold $5 Half Eagle Coin List