1795 $10 13 Leaves, BD-1, High R.3, AU58 PCGS....

Description

1795 Capped Bust Right Eagle, AU58
13 Leaves, BD-1 Variety, First Year Issue

1795 $10 13 Leaves, BD-1, High R.3, AU58 PCGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State c/b. A superb Almost Uncirculated example of the iconic first gold ten dollar design created by Chief Engraver Robert Scot in 1795. The eagle denomination was initially delivered on September 22, 1795, shortly after the first half eagle delivery of July 31, 1795. The long-accepted mintage of 5,583 ten dollar coins dated 1795 includes some coin delivery warrants in early 1796 that are assumed to be dated 1795.

The Draped Bust Right gold coinage is the first United States Mint design to include a drapery. Art historian and numismatist Cornelius Vermeule discussed the "Roman Neoclassic intellectual heritage adopted by the leaders of the young republic to express freedom, self-identity, and federation in artistic and iconographic terms." This Neoclassicism is reflected in the early Mint coinage designs of Robert Scot. His extensive knowledge of Classical principles dates back to his education at the Trustees Art Academy in Edinburgh and is manifested in many of his copperplate engravings. This beautiful gold design, including the portrait of Liberty adorned with an elegant drapery, was meticulously engraved by Scot.

An interesting feature of Draped Bust eagles is the identical reed count of 142 for all eagles from 1795 to 1798/7, as researched by Anthony Taraszka and summarized in the July 1999 John Reich Journal article, "Diameters and Edge Reed Counts of Early Eagles." This research contributed to the evidence that edge reeds on silver and gold coinage of the early United States Mint were formed during the strike by a closed collar. Later years of 1799 to 1804 for ten dollar coins had fewer reeds, when the collars were replaced.

This gem borderline Uncirculated coin with original surfaces has barely a trace of high point rub. It shows less wear and is more fully struck up than either the AU58+ PCGS CAC Taraszka/Jacobson coin sold by Stack's Bowers in their November 2022 auction for $288,000 or the NGC AU58 example realizing $120,000 in our August 14, 2024, sale. The exquisite definition on the eagle's breast feathers and leaves of the olive branch on the present coin far outshines either of the above. Warmly toned in original medium gold, with lovely luster in protected areas. An as-struck lint mark curving from the hair to Star 8 aids as a pedigree marker. A highly desirable example of the Mint's first ten dollar coin.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25ZU, Variety PCGS# 45710, Base PCGS# 8551, Greysheet# 198067)

Weight: 17.50 grams

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

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