1799 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-5, Taraszka-17. Rarity-6. Small Obverse Stars. AU-53 (ICG).A bright and vivid example with semi-reflective fields enhancing an otherwise satiny mint finish. Attractive golden-yellow color joins generally sharp striking detail to enhance the eye appeal. While there is some softness of detail to stars 2 and 12 on the obverse and at both of the eagles wing tips on the reverse, other features that are typically soft for this die pairing are crisp, including stars 1 and 2 on the obverse, the second cloud from the right on the reverse, and the two uppermost stars in the field above the eagles head. Most of the wispy handling marks are easily overlooked, although accuracy does compel us to mention a thin, shallow scuff in the left obverse field. BD Die State c/a.<p>As with all but two of the 10 known die marriages of the 1799 eagle, BD-5 is elusive and difficult to find under normal market conditions. Writing in the 2006 reference <em>Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties: A Study of Die States, 1795-1834</em>, John W. Dannreuther accounts for only 22 to 30 coins extant. Only a single die state is currently known, which is perhaps not surprising given the paucity of survivors. Since this reverse die was not used in any other pairing, some sort of terminal damage must have occurred to compel the Mint to retire it. The most likely culprit is an expansion of the die break in the lower right portion of the shield, although this is just speculation. Perhaps terminal die state examples of this variety have all been lost since striking, or perhaps an example or two may remain unattributed in tightly held collections.<p>This is only the fifth example of the 1799 BD-5 eagle that we have offered in recent years, a list that includes two AU-58s, an AU-55 and an AU Details coin with a spot removed. All of those coins were also certified by PCGS at the time of our offering. The present example is attractive and would serve with distinction in any advanced gold cabinet.PCGS# 98562.From the Harvey B. Jacobson Jr. Collection.
