Obverse Image: Liberty wearing a cap, facing right. 13 stars around.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1798
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle with wings outstretched clutching arrows and branch in talons, shield over chest with vertical stripes on bottom part and horizontal stripes on top part, ribbon held in beak, 13 stars above eagle's head, 6 cloud-like shapes above stars.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / E PLURIBUS UNUM
General Information: 1798 over 1797.
Description
Early eagles had numerous variations in the number and placement of obverse and reverse stars, details on the federal shield, and the date. This piece (with thirteen stars and a 1797 die redated to 1798) is one of the rarer varieties. About a dozen specimens are known including this one in the National Numismatic Collection.