1804 $10 Crosslet 4, BD-1, High R.4, MS60 NGC....

Description

1804 Draped Bust Eagle, MS60
Crosslet 4, BD-1, Famous Key Date
Extremely Rare in Uncirculated Condition

1804 $10 Crosslet 4, BD-1, High R.4, MS60 NGC. Bass-Dannreuther Die State b/b. Cracked from star 1 through the date and from the U to the tailfeathers and the final A in AMERICA. The officially recorded mintage for the 1804 ten dollar was 3,757 coins. But that is misleading. We know that this reverse die, designated as 1803E in the Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties reference, was re-paired with Obverse 1 from 1803 to create the very rare 1803 BD-6 eagle. The point is that even the low mintage for this key date overstates the actual number of coins struck. The total certainly includes an unknown number of pieces dated 1803. Possibly only 2,500 eagles were struck in 1804 in Dannreuther's estimation.

Two varieties are known for the 1804. All circulation strikes produced contemporarily are of this variety, featuring a Crosslet 4 in the date. Coins featuring a Plain 4 are proof restrikes, manufactured in 1834 or 1835 (or both) and issued alongside the famous novodel 1804 dollars.

The 1804 Crosslet 4 eagle has long been touted as a rarity, and indeed it is, especially in high grades. Most examples seen are impaired in some way. Dannreuther suggests these coins may have been set aside despite their imperfections during the 1850s, when the 1804 was already known to be a date of special significance. Unfortunately, by that time few coins remained in Uncirculated condition. Of the 80 to 100 pieces extant, perhaps 15 or 20 coins survive in Mint State. The certification totals are likely inflated.

The devices on both sides are incredibly sharp. Notice the finer points of Liberty's curls and the eagle's feathers, all showing crisp delineation. Reddish-gold surfaces are bright and lustrous with a touch of semiprooflikeness in the obverse fields. Myriad marks are of no import. Census: 4 in 60, 22 finer (1/18).
From The Admiral Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# BFYU, Variety PCGS# 45741, Base PCGS# 8566)

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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