1795 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-2, Taraszka-2. Rarity-4+. 13 Leaves. AU-55 (PCGS).Type and Style: Type I: Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle. Style I: Head of 1795 with 15 stars arranged 10 left, five right; Reverse of 1795 with 13 leaves on the palm branch. The head and eagle punches are attributed to hubs prepared by Robert Scot.Die Variety: BD-2, Taraszka-2, Breen 2-A, HBCC-3170. Obverse diagnostics include Libertys bust over the tip of the digit 5 in the date and star 11 away from the letter Y in LIBERTY. This variety represents the first of three uses for this obverse die, which was later used to produce the scarce BD-3, Taraszka-3 9 Leaves variety, as well as the BD-5, Taraszka-5 13 Leaves variety. The reverse is most readily identifiable by looking at the eighth leaf on the palm branch, which nearly touches the letter U in UNITED. BD-2, Taraszka-2 represents the second and final use of this reverse die.Die State: BD Die State d/d. The obverse has been strongly lapped, probably to efface clash marks, although it also effaced the faint cracks between stars 1 to 10 and through the base of the digits 17 in the date that define Obverse Die States b and c for this variety. The most dramatic evidence of this excessive lapping, however, is the shortened points on many of the stars, particularly pronounced when one compares this coin to the Die State a/d example offered above. A new set of faint die cracks from the upper left and right points of star 13 are noted, features also seen on the Obverse Die State d example of the BD-3 9 leaves variety offered below. Interestingly, Dannreuther does not report this obverse die state on examples of the BD-2 variety, the latest known to the author being Die State c. We suspect, therefore, that this coin is one of the latest impressions from the BD-2 die pairing, struck after the obverse die was relapped after striking examples in Die State c. The reverse is the only die state known for the BD-2 attribution, and it has been lapped to efface clash marks. The field areas between the palm leaves are now wider, as is that between the eagles legs, and the tops of the letters ED in UNITED are incomplete.Estimated Mintage for the Issue: Most Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle tens were struck from 1795-dated dies. The mintage for calendar year 1795 is 5,583 coins, per Mint records. Dannreuther provides an estimate of coins struck from 1795-dated dies that ranges from a low of 5,859 to a high of 10,915 pieces.Estimated Mintage for the Variety: Dannreuther estimates that 1,500 to 2,332 eagles were struck from the 1795 BD-2 die marriage.Estimated Surviving Population for the Variety: Approximately 100 examples are believed extant in all grades (per Dannreuther).Strike: This coin is overall sharply struck, where allowed by the die state, with most of Libertys hair tresses crisply delineated and much of the eagles plumage sharp. Slightly weak in the centers, although we stress that this is common for Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle tens.Surfaces: Light greenish-gold patina is seen throughout, and the surfaces retain much of the original semi-prooflike finish. A few faint adjustment marks in the center of the reverse at the eagles breast and legs are as made, and there are no marks of consequence. This piece is of very pleasing quality.Commentary: Our consignor obviously collected this coin for its advanced die state, a companion piece to the early die state (a/d) BD-2 example offered above. In fact, this coin represents the latest obverse die state for the 1795 BD-2 variety known to your cataloger, and it was likely produced shortly before the reverse die was replaced by that of the famous BD-3 9 Leaves variety. In addition to the appeal that it holds for early eagle variety enthusiasts, this beautiful Choice AU has much to offer advanced gold type collectors seeking a high quality example of this historic and challenging design.From the Anthony J. Taraszka Collection. Earlier ex Joe Flynn, Sr. Coin Company, September 1971; Harry W. Bass, Jr.; our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part II, October 1999, lot 1303; Superiors New York ANA Sale of August 2002, lot 1840.
