1799 $10 Small Stars Obverse MS62 PCGS. Breen-6838, Taraszka-16, BD-4, R.7....

Description

R.7 1799 Small Stars Obverse Ten, BD-4
MS62, Condition Census Example

1799 $10 Small Stars Obverse MS62 PCGS. Breen-6838, Taraszka-16, BD-4, R.7. Dies 4-A. Bass-Dannreuther Obverse State b / Reverse State e. One of the finest and rarest 1799 eagle varieties. On this Small Stars obverse, which was first used here for the BD-4 and then reused on the BD-5 and BD-6, the 1 and 7 are closely spaced, as well as the entire date. Star 9 touches the Y of LIBERTY; star 13 is distant from the bust. In this obverse die state, a crack runs from the rim to two points of star 8. Another small crack through the middle of the L almost appears as die rust but is not.
The reverse die is here in its fourth use, after the BD-1 through BD-3 pairings. A star point lies not touching between upper and lower portions of the eagle's beak; the O is over the rightmost part of a cloud. In the present die state, there is a distinctive die rust lump between UN. Many other small to large die cracks appear throughout the reverse, as outlined in the Bass-Dannreuther reference for the coin in that collection.
The authors note that Harry Bass, Jr. owned but a single example of the BD-4, as he was unable to find a second specimen in a different die state. This piece differs little in reverse die state from the Bass coin; with so few examples to choose from, it is possible that no other state may be found.
From a larger standpoint, this coin is among the rarest two varieties of 1799 eagles. The 1799 BD-1 and BD-4 pairings are just about tied as the rarest for the year. Bass-Dannreuther estimate that both are R.7, but then specify eight to 12 survivors of BD-4, versus five to seven of the BD-1. Obviously within a margin of error, one may safely say that both are incredibly rare.
Both sides of this MS62 BD-4 example show engaging and complete mint luster over orange-gold surfaces. While there are a few stray hairlines and contact marks, there are absolutely no singular impairments on this beautiful coin. Planchet adjustment marks are limited to the reverse, on a cloud and the last S in STATES at the rim. The strike is equally bold in Liberty's individual hair strands, the reverse shield, and all other details, central and peripheral.
This lustrous MS62 specimen is high in the Condition Census for the variety, probably the fourth finest known behind the MS64 Bass Collection coin, the MS63 Eliasberg coin, and an MS63 NGC we offered in our ANA Signature (Heritage, 7/2003), lot 6346. The present coin represents an important opportunity, as examples of this absolute and conditional rarity appear only fleetingly in the marketplace.(Registry values: P2)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2624, PCGS# 98562, Greysheet# 9346)

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 Certification Details from PCGS