Lot 1883
1797. Large Eagle BD-2 Rarity 4+. PCGS graded AU-58 PQ. Well struck with lots of luster visible on both sides. Long tapered neck on the eagle. Mostly well struck and replete with frosty mint luster, particularly so on the reverse. Free from adjustment marks and other defects, just some light handling marks in the exposed fields. A very attractive AU58 specimen, all things considered, and noteworthy in many respects for its high condition.
When the quarter eagle went into production in 1796, it bore the same obverse as on the eagle and half eagle, but with a new reverse, generally known as the heraldic eagle.
The heraldic eagle reverse makes its appearance on the $10 gold in 1797 where it bears a somewhat more full-bodied eagle than on the small eagle design struck early in the year. The eagle now gazes to the left on the new design and holds in its beak a ribbon inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM, a Latin phrase connoting One Among Many. A shield is mounted on the eagle’s breast. The eagle holds a bundle of arrows in its right talons (the viewer’s left) and an olive branch in its left talons, and is similar to that found on the Great Seal of the United States.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircles the design, as on the small eagle 1797. A semicircle of clouds stretches from wing to wing, with 13 stars positioned between the clouds and the eagle in arrangements that vary from die to die.
Mint engraver Robert Scot’s new reverse was introduced on the eagle in mid-1797, so eagles of this year are found with both reverse design types. The estimated mintage of the 1797 capped bust, heraldic eagle $10 is 10,940. Pop 27; 39 finer (PCGS # 8559) . Estimated Value $37,000 - 39,000.
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Realized $43,475 |