Lot 1652
1799 $10 Capped Bust. Large obverse stars. . BD-1, T-22. Rarity-3. PCGS graded MS-60 PQ. A magnificent needle sharp strike with lustrous surfaces that resemble a much higher grade thus our Premium Quality designation. One hairline scratch in the left obverse field, otherwise, a full MS-63 example. Sun-fresh gold, indeed glowing with gold satin luster, and fully radiant with a near-choice surfaces.
The strike is no less than first-rate on this specimen, with total sharpness of the central hair detail, fully formed star centers and razor-sharp letters and date numerals. The reverse is bold in the same way, with full shield lines and a full shield frame. We could persist in this ad infinitum, since the devices are in all honesty outstanding. But will end with the fact that the neck feathers of the eagle are as sharp as this cataloger could imagine, and the wing feathers are complete. The only trace of softness is at the eagle's right leg (viewer's left), where the deep recess of the obverse die at the cap supplied too much metal, leaving a dearth to fill the finer reverse detail.
Production increased to 37,449 coins for 1799, giving this issue of capped bust eagle the second highest mintage for the series. While all of the obverse dies bear 13 stars arranged eight and five, two different star punch sizes were used; the resulting varieties are called Small Stars and Large Stars. The numerals in the date are spaced variously: Some coins have a Close Date, some a Wide Date, and others an Irregular Date. Ten die varieties are known for 1799, representing the combinations of five obverse dies and seven reverse dies (PCGS # 8562) .
Estimated Value $29,000 - 31,000.
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