1797 $10 Large Eagle MS62 PCGS Secure. Breen-6834, BD-4, High R.4. CAC....

Description

1797 Capped Bust Right Eagle, MS62
Heraldic Eagle, BD-4 Variety
First Date of Design

1797 $10 Large Eagle MS62 PCGS Secure. Breen-6834, BD-4, High R.4. CAC. Only 10,940 Capped Bust Right eagles were minted in 1797, with four different die varieties known for the date. Three of them featured the new Heraldic Eagle reverse, while a single die marriage employed the old Small Eagle design. The same obverse die was used on all three Heraldic Eagle emissions. The present coin is an example of the BD-4 variety, distinguished by the long, thick eagle's neck and reverse stars 9, 10, and 11 in a straight line. The variety seems to be a transitional design, between the tall and short neck eagle types. John Dannreuther estimates a surviving population of 90-110 examples in all grades, a small total in absolute terms but still the most available of the 1797 varieties. The issue is very scarce in Mint State, and coins in MS62 condition are rare. Current population data reflect this rarity, as PCGS has certified 14 coins in MS62, with just two finer; NGC has graded another 15 MS62 specimens, with four finer (7/10).
The present coin is a delightful Mint State specimen, with pleasing prooflike surfaces and well-detailed devices. A few stars are a little flat in the centers, but crisp detail is present on the central devices. The eagle's neck is particularly well defined. The surfaces are a light greenish-gold, with considerable field-device contrast. As expected from the grade, a scattering of minor handling marks is evident on both sides, with a shallow scratch in the obverse field near star 7 the only flaw worthy of mention. Two die cracks are prominent from the obverse edge to the serif of the 7, as seen on all examples of this obverse. A more delicate crack extends from the reverse edge through the C in AMERICA to the wreath, and another from the edge, past R, to the uppermost leaf in the wreath. The eye appeal is excellent.(Registry values: P3)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25ZY, PCGS# 8559, Greysheet# 9344)

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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