1801 $10 BD-2 MS(PCGS#45734)

June 2021 U.S. Coins Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2528

Grade

MS64

Price

102,000

Lot Description

Spectacular Near-Gem 1801 Capped Bust Right $10 Among the Finest Certified 1801 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-2, Taraszka-25. Rarity-2. MS-64 (PCGS). This is an absolutely magnificent survivor of the Capped Bust Right Heraldic Eagle ten-dollar design type that will have great appeal for even advanced specialists in early U.S. Mint gold coinage. Rich shades of honey-gold patina accent the brighter lemon-yellow color that dominates the centers. The fields display a lustrous and satiny texture that is complimented by traces of reflectivity on the reverse. The strike is superior for the issue, with strong central definition and traces of die clashing in Liberty's cap, as is typically seen for examples of the BD-2 attribution. This magnificent coin is among the finest examples of both the type and issue that we have ever handled, ranking well above the AU-55 Taraszka specimen but landing just below the MS-65 and MS-64+ Pogue specimens sold in our September 2015 sale. Just four coins have been certified finer by PCGS across both varieties of the issue, including the aforementioned Pogue coins. The 1801 BD-2 variety represents the only use of this obverse die and the first of two uses of this reverse die. The large, thin obverse stars are diagnostic of this die marriage, as the BD-1 pairing of this issue has large, thick stars. The obverse and reverse dies of this variety proved unusually hardy by the standards of the early eagle series, both striking 30,000 to 40,000 coins in this pairing and the reverse going on to produce an additional 7,500 to 10,000 coins in the 1803 BD-3 marriage. John W. Dannreuther (2006) estimates that only 600 to 800 coins are extant from the 1801 BD-2 dies, the vast majority of which are in higher AU and low end Mint State grade up through MS-62. This variety becomes a notable rarity at the Choice Uncirculated level. The present near-Gem represents a significant opportunity, and is fit for a world-class cabinet or Registry Set. PCGS Population (both die varieties of the issue): 37; 4 finer (MS-65 finest). PCGS# 8564. NGC ID: 2627. Click here for certification details from PCGS. Image with the PCGS TrueView logo is obtained from and is subject to a license agreement with Collectors Universe, Inc. and its divisions PCGS and PSA. Click here to see Coins in Motion.[“Coins]