1801 $10 BD-2, R.2, MS63 PCGS....

Description

1801 Capped Bust Right Eagle, MS63
Popular BD-2 Variety
Early Die State

1801 $10 BD-2, R.2, MS63 PCGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/a, no clashing, no lapping, no cracks. According to Mint records, a substantial mintage of 44,344 Capped Bust Right eagles was accomplished at the Philadelphia Mint in 1801, but some of those coins were probably dated 1800, or even 1799, as the Mint continued to use dies as long as they were serviceable, regardless of calendar year. Two die varieties are known for the date. This coin represents the more available BD-2 variety, with star 13 close to the bust and star 1 positioned further away. The BD-2 dies were probably used to strike 30,000-40,000 pieces of the reported mintage and John Dannreuther estimates the surviving population at 600-800 examples in all grades today. Both obverse and reverse dies were unusually hardy, indicating that the Mint was making good progress in improving die preparation at this time. The obverse die was used previously to produce the BD-1 variety of this date and the reverse die was used again to strike the BD-3 variety of 1803.

The coin offered here is a spectacular Select specimen, with sharply detailed design elements in most areas, and just a touch of the usual softness on the arrow fletchings and star 2. The obverse stars are from a new punch, with longer, more spindly spines than the old Large Stars punch. From an early state of the dies, this coin shows no trace of the mysterious vertical spines in the cap that are so obvious on later die states. The pleasing yellow-gold surfaces retain much original mint luster and show only scattered, minor signs of contact. Overall eye appeal is outstanding. This coin will be a welcome addition to a fine collection of early eagles. Population: 39 in 63 (2 in 63+), 40 finer (3/22).

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 45734, Base PCGS# 8564, Greysheet# 198085)

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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