1800 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-1, Taraszka-23, the only known dies. Rarity-3+. AU-53 (NGC). OH.Light green-gold is interspersed with subtle reddish regions in among the stars and along the rim in the dentils on the obverse, all contrasting nicely with the soft satin finish on the bust of Liberty. The reverse is an even lighter yellow gold with just a smattering of light abrasions and faint traces of adjustment marks that are the norm for these early gold coins.The early eagles were not especially heavily used in everyday commerce, but were often favored for international transactions where specie was much preferred over paper instruments for conducting business. As a result, not nearly the same quantities of eagles were struck throughout its first half century or so of production. A single pair of dies was used to produce the entire 1800 eagle issue using a reverse die first used for the 1799 BD-10 pairing, then later in 1801 for the BD-1 variety. The total figures produced are not known for certain; the Mint reported 5,999 eagles were delivered in calendar year 1800, though the number of surviving specimens plus the existence of a die remarriage that took place after the 1801 BD-1 coins were struck strongly suggest that perhaps double that number of 1800-dated coins were ultimately struck in 1800 and 1801 combined. Even with the mass meltings that took place with all early gold coins to which the 1800 eagle was not immune, some 200 to 300 specimens are believed to exist in all grades. Popular among not only early gold specialists but also type collectors, expect considerable attention to be paid on this piece when it crosses the block.From the Dr. Andrew Mitchell Collection.
