1796 $10 BD-1, R.4, AU55 PCGS....

Description

1796 BD-1 Eagle, AU55
Scarce, One Variety Year

1796 $10 BD-1, R.4, AU55 PCGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State c/b. The otherwise green-gold color lightens to honey-gold shades at direct angles. Some prooflike characteristics remain in the most protected areas and add brightness to the surfaces. Lightly worn with scattered abrasions that are mostly small in size. Both sides retain appreciably sharp definition in most areas.

A total of 6,934 eagles were minted in calendar year 1796, but the deliveries from the first few months of the year comprised examples dated 1795, reducing the reported 1796-dated mintage to only 4,146 pieces. However, the 1796 is significantly rarer than the 1795, with only 125 to 175 examples surviving in all grades, compared to about 425 to 575 for the 1795. This occurred due to differential survival rates, as 1795 eagles were saved as the first issue of a new denomination, whereas the second-year 1796 circulated as extensively as any other early U.S. gold coin of this denomination.

Also unlike 1795, a single die marriage was used to accomplish the entire mintage, as compared to five from that previous year. This sole 1796 die marriage is also the only early eagle die marriage where the letters of LIBERTY extend over the peak of the cap, creating a more symmetrical and attractive design. The present example displays the meandering crack from the field below the E in LIBERTY to the bottom of Liberty's bust, which developed fairly early in the life of this die marriage. The crack is strongest over and above the top of the portrait. Given the quality surfaces and superior design proportioning, advanced type collectors and gold specialists alike would be wise to take full advantage of the bidding opportunity that this lot represents.
Ex: ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/2006), lot 5539.
From The Costa Family Collection, Part II.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 45715, Base PCGS# 8554)

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.

View all of [The Costa Family Collection, Part II ]

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