1799 $10 Small Obverse Stars MS(PCGS#98562)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

3338

Grade

AU55

Price

28,800

Lot Description

BD Die State f/d. This bright and vivid piece exhibits even medium gold color with hints of iridescent pale rose evident as the surfaces rotate under a light. The finish is frosty to semi-reflective, direct lighting calling forth especially strong mirrored qualities from the fields. The strike is ideally centered and nicely executed, all design elements boldly to sharply defined in the absence of significant wear. There are some faint hairlines, especially on the obverse, but no sizeable or otherwise singularly mentionable marks are seen, and there are no signs of planchet adjustment.<p>Early eagles are perpetually popular among collectors and the 1799 issue is among the most popular in the Capped Bust Right series. The BD-7 is one of the more available varieties of the 10 known for this date and, with an estimated 250 to 350 examples known in all grades, it is the most frequently encountered of the Small Obverse Stars <em>Guide Book</em> variety. Harry W. Bass, Jr. owned an impressive five examples of this variety in his collection! Numerous representatives have been mishandled over the years, however, and a straight-graded Choice About Uncirculated survivor like the present piece is a significant offering.<p>The First Generation PCGS holder uses coin #8562 for this coin, which is now reserved for the Large Obverse Stars <em>Guide Book</em> variety of the 1799 eagle.