This is a handsome eagle with deep olive undertones and dominant orange-gold patina. The texture is satiny and vibrant with both sides retaining wisps of original luster in the protected areas around and among the devices. Extremely faint adjustment marks, as made, are scattered about the peripheries and interfere with the detail to isolated portions of the denticulation, especially from 9 to 11 oclock on the obverse and along the lower right reverse border. Otherwise we note uniformly bold definition throughout the design, much of Libertys hair and the eagles plumage is quite sharp. A few light scuffs over and before Libertys cheek are noted for accuracy, as is a thin, shallow strikethrough, as made, in the reverse field above the eagles left wing.The United States Mint delivered its first ten-dollar gold eagles on September 22, 1795, its second gold coin produced after the half eagle. Official records for mintages during that era concern the number of coins delivered during a given calendar year, although during the 18th and early 19th centuries the Mint generally used dies until they were no longer suitable for coinage without regard for the date. While it is probable that all of the 5,583 eagles delivered during 1795 bore that date, some may have been dated 1796, while additional 1795-dated coins might have been struck in 1796. It is a confusing situation for numismatic scholars, who can only estimate the number of examples struck for individual dates and die marriages based on extant populations. For the 1795 BD-5 variety, represented here, John W. Dannreuther (2006) estimates that 500 to 1,000 pieces were struck based on just 35 to 45 coins believed extant. This is the second rarest of the five known varieties of the issue after the BD-3 9 Leaves, an example of which is also offered in this sale. Obviously important for early eagle variety purposes, this lovely Choice AU will also appeal to advanced gold type collectors, especially those with an interest in first year issues. BD Die State e/c.,,PCGS# 8551.,,From the Edgar B. Lupfer Collection.
