1804 $10 Crosslet 4 AU55 PCGS. BD-1, High R.4....

Description

1804 Crosslet 4 Eagle, BD-1, AU55
Last Circulation-Strike Eagle of the Type

1804 $10 Crosslet 4 AU55 PCGS. BD-1, High R.4. Bass-Dannreuther Die State obverse unlisted (late)/b. The Crosslet 4 date characteristic is sufficient to identify the Bass-Dannreuther die variety, as the Plain 4 eagles dated 1804 were struck in 1834 or early 1835 for inclusion in the famous presentation proof sets that went to foreign dignitaries. Those sets, including the King of Siam and Muscat of Oman proof sets, famously included the "King of American Coins," the 1804 Original silver dollars.

The association with the 1804 dollars has made the 1804-dated eagles -- both Crosslet 4 and Plain 4 varieties -- justly famous, but they certainly stand on their own merits as well. The 1804 eagles, save for the Plain 4 exception already noted, were the last of the denomination (at least, when one is looking at date order) struck for circulation until the series resumed with a reduced gold content in 1838. President Thomas Jefferson ordered that the Mint cease the striking of gold eagles and silver dollars as of year-end 1804.

Regardless, the Mint, true to character, paid no heed to the dates stamped into serviceable dies, and die-state evidence shows that some 1803-dated eagles were struck after the 1804 Crosslet 4 coins. The obverse of the BD-1 1804 Crosslet 4 is a new die, of course, but the reverse was a carryover from the exceedingly rare 1803 BD-6 die variety, of which but a handful of survivors are known today.
The reverse die shows the first A in AMERICA free of the eagle's wing, light repunching on the base of the first T in STATES, and a Mint-made repair on the inner-right serif of the adjacent A.

In the die state of the present Choice AU PCGS-certified piece, light die cracks run through UNIT and from U to the tail and the last A in AMERICA; on the obverse, a crack runs from star 1 to 18 in the date, and another joins stars 11-13 to the bust tip (unlisted in Bass-Dannreuther). This piece shows golden-yellow and orange-yellow patina with a few scattered, light abrasions, nothing overt. Some fairly light planchet adjustment marks run diagonally through the shield and the left-side clouds on the reverse, and the strike is weak on the lower-left claw, arrow shafts, and shield border nearby. The strike is sharp on the lower-left obverse stars and the rear hair curls which are generously detailed, but somewhat soft on the forward tresses and the eye and facial features, opposite the adjustment marks on the reverse. A beautiful example of this historic eagle issue, one that will not be improved upon without much effort. Population: 6 in 55, 14 finer (1/14).
From Christopher Bently's Nob Hill Collection.(Registry values: P4)

Coin Index Numbers: (PCGS# 8566, Greysheet# 9352)

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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