1804 $10 Crosslet 4 MS(PCGS#8566)

The November 2011 Baltimore Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

9677

等级

MS60

价格

419,473

详细说明

1804 Capped Bust Right Eagle. Taraszka-31, BD-1. Rarity-4+. Crosslet 4. MS-60 (NGC). A really lovely example of this classic date among the early eagles, the final year of issue and from one of the most famous dates of the American series. Satiny and highly lustrous light yellow gold at the central obverse, with deeper orange and russet toning around the periphery that matches the tones dominating the reverse. A very original appearance and most appealing, a look that is very desired by knowledgeable collectors. Traces of mild prooflike character are also detected in the obverse fields, adding to the visual appeal. The 1804 eagles are typically seen weakly struck, and this piece shows softness in Liberty's face, the corresponding area of the reverse, and at the viewer's left talon. Other elements are largely well executed including Liberty's hair curls and most of the eagle's feathers, including those of the tail and breast. Light adjustment marks are noted on the reverse, mostly in the shield, but they are conveniently placed and not distracting. The obverse die has started to fail, with buckling evident both behind and in front of Liberty's face, again, a characteristic often seen on this variety. Cracks are seen in the stars, LIBERTY and the date. In fact, the obverse seems a little more advanced than the late state description in the Bass-Dannreuther reference indicates, as the cracks are greater in number. The reverse exhibits the fine cracks as described as the latest observed die state for 1804 in the same reference. However, this die was used again in a second marriage, paired with the 1803 obverse <em>after</em> the 1804-dated coins were struck. This is easily proven through careful study of the die states of the reverse. Therefore, while 1804 was the last year the early eagles were struck, and 1804 is the last date seen, in fact, the final coins struck were dated 1803. Though the 1803-dated examples (BD-6) are very rare today, the original number struck wa