1801 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-2, Taraszka-25. Rarity-2. AU-58 (NGC). This bright and flashy honey-orange eagle offers considerable prooflike reflectivity in the fields. The design elements exhibit more of a satiny finish, and most are boldly to sharply defined over the focal features. BD Die State a/a.<p>The reported mintage of eagles for calendar year 1801 is 44,344 pieces. Through the study of die states, however, numismatic scholars have determined that some 1800-dated coins were struck after those of the 1801 BD-1 variety (both share the same reverse). As such, the reported mintage for calendar year 1801 likely includes some coins dated 1800, and possibly also some dated 1799. With 600 to 800 coins believed extant from an estimated mintage of 30,000 to 40,000 for the variety, 1801 BD-2 is actually the most available early eagle die marriage, making it a perennial favorite with gold type collectors. The present example represents the scarce early die state without the often seen clash marks in Libertys cap from the vertical stripes in the reverse shield.
