5 Dollars "Capped Bust" · “Capped Bust”

The Capped Head Half Eagle (1813–1834)

The United States made well over a million of these $5 gold pieces. Today, a single date survives in only three examples — and one of those sold for $8.4 million. The reason isn't a lost ship or a fire. It's arithmetic: Congress priced the gold inside the coin too cheaply, so the smart move was to melt it.