1796 $10 MS(PCGS#8554)

December 2020 U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

1131

等级

MS61

价格

825,826

详细说明

Noteworthy Mint State 1796 Small Eagle $10 1796 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-1, Taraszka-6, the only known dies. Rarity-4. MS-61 (NGC). Vivid golden-yellow patina is seen on both sides of this beautiful early eagle. The finish is modestly prooflike with the fields revealing plenty of reflectivity under a light. Wispy handling marks are noted here and there, none of which are worthy of individual mention. The strike is impressive by the standards of the early United States Mint, the impression nicely centered on both sides within boldly and uniformly denticulated borders. The stars, branch and wreath are sharp, and Liberty's portrait and the eagle's plumage are full apart from trivial softness to the high points of Liberty's cap and bust, as well as the eagle's head, breast and legs. BD Die State c/b. The Small Eagle reverse was used on the $10 gold piece for only three years and was not produced in any large quantity. The 1796 eagle is no exception; the mintage according to Mint records is 4,146 pieces delivered during that calendar year, though this almost certainly includes a number of 1795-dated eagles. Precisely how many were actually dated 1796 is unknown; John W. Dannreuther in his 2006 study, Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties: A Study of Die States, 1795-1834, has estimated the mintage of the 1796-dated issue at 3,500 to 4,146 pieces, all struck form a single die pair. One distinguishing feature of this issue is the use of 16 stars on the obverse signifying the admission of Tennessee into the Union on June 1, 1796 (indicating that these coins were all struck after that date). The 1796 eagle is also the first of two issues with only 11 leaves on the branch in the eagle's claw; the earlier 1795-dated varieties all display either nine or 13 leaves on the branch. Just 125 to 175 examples of the 1796 are believed extant in all grades, of which fewer than three dozen certification events have been recorded at Mint State levels. A delight to behold and a classic early gold rarity. Provenance: From the Larry H. Miller Collection. NGC Census: 8; 6 finer in this category (MS-63 finest). PCGS# 8554. NGC ID: BFYM. Click here for certification details from NGC.