1799 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-10, Taraszka-22. Rarity-3. Large Obverse Stars. VF-35 (PCGS). A seldom offered certified grade for this challenging early gold type, and one that is sure to appeal to astute type collectors. Rich deep olive color with intermingled orange-copper, the surfaces are free of sizeable or otherwise individually mentionable abrasions. Wispy handling marks are noted for accuracy, as is a shallow reverse planchet flaw (as made) that bisects the letter E and the adjacent clouds. A tad glossy in texture, as well, and perhaps from some time spent as a pocket piece, all major design elements remain bold with some sharper definition in the recesses. BD Die State a/a.Of the ten different 1799 die pairs identified by Bass and Dannreuther, only two used the same Large Stars obverse die. The reverse die proved to be resilient as not only was it able to coin an estimated 12,500 to 17,500 eagles in 1799, it was also used to strike the entirety of the 1800 eagle mintage as well as a few thousand eagles in 1801. Often considered one of the most available of the Heraldic Eagle $10 gold pieces, the BD-10 variety should be examined in the context of the entire series, one which is challenging overall. Many serious collectors are content with adding just a single specimen to represent the type, which makes the BD-10 even more desirable. A Choice VF example with excellent eye appeal, as here, is particularly well suited for type collections. PCGS# 8562. NGC ID: 2625.
