1811 $5 Tall 5 (1811 Half Eagle) PCGS AU58. This lovely 1811 Half Eagle shows bright mint luster within the devices of the design. The strike is full and sharp with none of the signs of rust often seen above the eagles head and neck. The coin is struck from rotated dies, and there are a number of clash marks, especially above the date on the obverse. These mint errors do not detract from the coins grade or its value. John Reich designed the Capped Bust Half Eagle. The obverse shows Liberty in profile facing left wearing a LIBERTY inscribed cap that was intended to represent a Phrygian cap.

The coin has seven stars to the left of Liberty and six to the right with the date below. Dentils are around the periphery on both sides of the coin. The reverse shows a defiant eagle with its opened mouth and an aggressively curved neck. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is in an arc around the eagle, interrupted by the wing tips. On a banner over the eagles head between its wings is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The denomination written as 5 D. is below.

Reich corrected the error made by Robert Scot in the design of the previous 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. On the Capped Bust Half Eagle, the olive branch is in the right claw and the arrows are in the left.

In 1807, John Reich was promoted to the position of Assistant or Second Engraver by Robert Patterson, the new Mint Director. President Thomas Jefferson had urged Patterson to make this promotion because Scots eyesight was failing him. The promotion was timely because Reich was considering returning to Europe out of boredom with the menial work he had been assigned. Immediately Patterson assigned Reich the task of redesigning the nations coinage. He began with the half eagle and the half dollar, the two most important coins for commerce.

In its population report, PCGS shows the Tall 5 variety of the 1811 half eagle with 13 certified in AU58 and 27 better.