1791 Washington Small Eagle Cent. Musante GW-17, Baker-16, W-10630. UNITED STATES Edge. MS-65 BN (PCGS).This is a simply delightful example of an historic early federal era type. Smartly impressed, both sides exhibit sharp to full definition throughout the design. Direct lighting calls forth not only iridescent undertones of lilac and rose, but also modest reflective tendencies in the fields. The in hand appearance is largely one of handsome, slightly marbled autumn-brown patina that speaks volumes about this coins originality. Exceptionally well preserved and solidly in the Gem Mint Sate category, this impressive condition rarity would do justice to the finest Washingtoniana cabinet or collection of early American coinage.pThis type was produced by W. and Alex Walker of Birmingham, England in an attempt to convince the United States Congress that their private firm could supply high quality coinage to the new nation at less expense than a government owned and operated mint. Dies for this type are attributed to John Gregory Hancock, Jr., who also designed the famous 1792 Washington Roman Head cent. Walker shipped approximately 1,500 Small Eagle cents (as well as 2,500 Large Eagle examples) to Thomas Ketland & Sons in Philadelphia for presentation to legislators. Most of those examples eventually found their way into circulation in the coinage-starved United States of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, but todays collectors are fortunate in that many high grade examples were preserved by collectors and others in England. The present example, representing the scarcer Small Eagle type, probably owes its preservation to earlier generations of English numismatists. A find for the discerning collector.
