1809/8 $5 (1809/8 Half Eagle) BD-1, NGC MS61. Early Half Eagle. This Capped Bust 1809/8 Half Eagle has significant mint luster remaining within its devices. The coin is well struck with full details seen on the centers of the stars, the strands of Libertys hair, and the shield. Very light adjustment marks are seen at the top of the obverse, which add interest and do not affect the grade. No wear is found, as expected for a mint state coin, and the surfaces are original, clean, and, for the grade, free of individual distractions worthy of mention.

This piece is the only known variety for the year. The 9 in the date seems to be struck over another digit, most likely an 8. However, some researchers feel that it is struck over a misplaced 9. Traditionally it has been considered an overdate. It is interesting to note that the 9 is significantly larger than the other numerals of the date. Perhaps it was from the punch used for the Large Date varieties of 1810. This 1809 date is the scarcest of the type, but several varieties from other years are harder to find, for example the two Small 5 varieties of 1810.

John Reich designed the Capped Bust half eagle of 1807 to 1834. It is stylistically related to the Capped Bust half dollar he also created. The obverse shows Liberty in profile facing left wearing a LIBERTY inscribed cap that was intended to represent a Phrygian cap. Seven stars are to her left and six are to the right with the date below the truncation. The reverse shows the heraldic eagle with wings raised up. Between them, on a banner, is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The required inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the coin, interrupted by the wing tips, and the denomination written as 5 D. is below.

Reich corrected the error made by Robert Scot in the design of the earlier half eagle (as well as his other heraldic eagle motifs). Scot had placed the arrows in the eagles right or dexter claw and put the olive branch in the left or sinister claw. This reversal of the positions of these two items is an inaccurate modification of the Great Seal of the United States. Arrows in the right claw symbolize extreme militarism, which may have been a message to France and other European powers concerning the sovereignty of the United States. On the Capped Bust half eagle, the olive branch is in the right claw and the arrows are in the left.

Johann Reich, a skilled engraver, was born in Bavaria and came to the United States around 1800. In order to finance his passage, he sold himself into servitude. President Thomas Jefferson recommended that Reich be hired as an engraver at the Mint in 1801. When he was serving in Washingtons Cabinet, Jefferson was in charge of the Mint as Secretary of State. While in France, Jefferson developed a working knowledge of the minting process. Reich was hired for other duties, but he eventually became an engraver at the Mint. He had a superb eye for the complicated aesthetics of coin engraving. At this time his freedom was purchased by an unknown mint official. Although Chief Engraver Robert Scot designed most of the coins at the mint since 1794, it was said that Reich had much more talent and ability than Scot.