1797 $10 Small Eagle, BD-1, R.5, AU55 PCGS....

Description

1797 Capped Bust Right Eagle, AU55
Elusive Small Eagle Reverse
BD-1, The Sole Variety

1797 $10 Small Eagle, BD-1, R.5, AU55 PCGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State b/b. As usually seen, a strong radial die crack angles upward into the right obverse field below star 16. A single die pair accounts for the entire 1797 mintage known for its odd obverse star arrangement of 12 stars left, four stars right. The 1 in the date is punched over two points of star 1. Both the 1796 and the 1797 Small Eagle tens were struck using the same reverse die, but their obverses could hardly be more different. The 1796 obverse displays an eight stars left, 8 stars right configuration, while the 1797 obverse represents the sole use of its oddball star arrangement. Both the 1796 and 1797 issues are scarce, although the 1796 date is seen more than twice as often as the 1797 issue, which counts only about 50 to 60 pieces surviving in all grades from its small mintage.

This is an especially pleasing Choice About Uncirculated 1797 example, with partially prooflike fields and sharply struck motifs. Attractive green-gold color covers both sides, with peripheral orange accents outlining the stars and legends. There are no signs of heavy contact -- only a few wispy lines visible under a loupe visit the smooth fields. There are no adjustment marks, with obverse wear limited to the high points of the cap and drapery folds and slight reverse wear at the eagle's breast, legs, and neck. It is thought a portion of the 1796 ten dollar mintage was struck, then the obverse die switched to strike the 1797 coins, before the balance of 1796 coins were produced based on the reverse die state. This Small Eagle ten is sure to be the capstone for a fine early gold collection. PCGS Population: 7 in 55, 8 finer (7/23).

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 45716, Base PCGS# 8555, GSID# 393214)

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper
Weight: 17.50 grams
AGW: 0.51577oz
Mintage: 3,615

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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