1799 $10 Large Stars Obverse AU50 认证号02247412, PCGS号8562

For me, it was a longtime goal to someday own an 18th Century Eagle. I started looking in 2016 and started seeing what I had been told - that most had been dipped and stripped. Those were nice enough, but lacked the soul that should accompany a 200+ year old coin. A handful of others were beautiful, but outside of my budget in MS grades. Finally, this one showed up and looked to be perfect. It's a BD-2, and is one of an estimated 35-45 extant coins from this die pair. Detail is amazingly sharp with full rims and dentils. Feather and hair detail is complete. A few very light adjustment marks are seen on the shield. Plenty of luster remains and it's quite lively in-hand. By today's standards it would probably grade higher, but it's just fine in the rattler holder. What a treat!

David Akers (1975/88)

The 1799 had more auction appearances in my survey than any other early Eagle and, despite its lower mintage, it is somewhat more common than the 1801. I have seen a substantial number of choice and gem uncirculated examples of this date as well as specimens in every other grade category. Varieties exist with small stars (as on earlier issues) and large stars (as on all early eagles that follow).

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Gordon Wrubel

Quickfinder Notes: There is only one Large Star obverse die for 1799. It is paired with two reverses; Bass-Dannreuther, BD-9 and 10. The Large Star obverse is also used on all early eagles to follow (1800-1804). The stars are very broad with short fat rays. They are arranged 8 on the left and 5 on the right. They are very closely spaced, even "crowded". Some star points nearly touch their neighbors. And they are spaced CLOSER TO THE DENTILS. The Small Stars Obverse, BD-1 through 8, were the same size as those used on the previous year, 1798/7. They have long, thin "spiny" rays that are rather evenly spaced and somewhat apart and FARTHER FROM THE DENTILS. Despite the fact that only one Large Star obverse die was used, the variety appears to be more common. But population data probably includes some Small Star coins before that variety was designated. As of this writing, November, 2013, 139 Mint State examples have been graded. At the top of the list is an MS-66 followed by six 65s.