1804 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-1, Taraszka-31. Rarity-4+. Crosslet 4. EF-40 (PCGS). Pale khaki-gold color dominates the complexion, accompanied by traces of warmer honey patina near the borders. The surfaces are glossy and well composed for the grade level, with sharp and uniform denticles at the rims. Struck from a terminal state of the dies exhibiting extensive cracks in the peripheries and considerable buckling in the left obverse field, as seen on the MS-63+ (PCGS) Pogue specimen and the finest known MS-64 (PCGS) from our August 2016 sale.<p>The final date in the Capped Bust Right eagle series, the 1804 is also one of the most popular and eagerly sought. Contrary to popular belief, the 1804 Crosslet 4 was not the last circulation strike variety produced, as that distinction goes to the 1803 BD-6, which utilizes the same reverse die. As such, at least some portion of the 3,757-piece mintage recorded for calendar year 1804 did not include coins of this date. The mintage from the 1804 BD-1 dies may be as small as 2,500 pieces (per John W. Dannreuther, 2006), and survivors are legitimately scarce and probably number no more than 100 or so coins. With the extreme popularity of this date in U.S. numismatics, as described above, the 1804 BD-1 eagle enjoys tremendous demand at all levels of preservation. Opportunities to acquire an example are usually few and far between in any given year, a fact that should be considered when bidding opens for this lot. From the Naples Bay Collection. From the Naples Bay Collection.
