|
Sale 87
September Pre Long Beach
| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 1440 |
 |
1797. Large Eagle BD-4 Rarity 4+. PCGS graded AU-58. Light golden toning. An exceptional type coin that offers strong visual appeal, clean surfaces and sharp definition. The fields and devices are pleasing, lacking the usual adjustment marks or handling issues that so often plague these large gold coins. The Philadelphia Mint really worked hard to produce these eagles, with complex die work and engraving, and carefully had to roll out the gold bullion in their mills to the correct thickness so the planchets cut from the gold sheet would weigh the proper amount. If the planchets were too heavy (as was often the case), and above the standard required by even a tiny amount, a file had to be drawn across the blank in order to "adjust" some of the gold off until the planchet weight was correct. This process creates the commonly seen adjustment marks familar to collectors of early gold coins. Most of these adjustment marks would be flattened by the strike, but traces often remain of this process on the struck coins.
Another troubling aspect of prospect of production was the rapid failure of dies. By 1797 engravers were creating dies quickly, but they often broke or buckled during the quenching process to harden the die steel. In some case dies were discarded before striking any coins. In others, severe cracks appeared early on, and the dies were replaced. When the dies held together and production went on for a time, often fine cracks could develop but these would not impede coinage. Hence some die pairings of thee early Capped Bust eagles are quite rare, others are comparatively available, like the present BD-4 variety. However, in high grades like AU-58 there certainly aren't many around, and this coin would make a satisfying acquisition for a connoisseur.Pop 31; 39 finer (PCGS # 8559) .
Estimated Value $34,000 - 36,000.
View details and enlarged photos
Check results on similar lots
| Unsold |
|
|