1804 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-1, Taraszka-31. Rarity-4+. Crosslet 4. AU Details--Cleaned (PCGS). This is an exceptionally attractive example for both the assigned grade and the challenging 1804 Crosslet 4 eagle issue. Both sides are well struck with overall bold detail and most design elements sharply to fully rendered. Much of the original mint finish remains, the obverse decidedly prooflike and the reverse a bit more subdued with a frosty texture throughout. Evidence for the stated qualifier is minimal and largely confined to concentrations of wispy hairlines in the left and right obverse field areas. Otherwise we note only small handling marks scattered about, none of which are singularly conspicuous to the eye. An even endowment of vivid golden-apricot color rounds out an impressive list of attributes for this endearing piece. BD Die State b/b.<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, 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.