1799 Drape Bust Eagle; PCGS; AU 55; BD-4 Small Obverse Stars

This coin description is courtesy of Heritage Auctions: This is a discussion taken from the sale of the Bass core collection. THE CURRENT COIN IS A RARE VARIETY AND IS DISCUSSED IN THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION.

Trivial die cracks are evident at the upper obverse, through the tops of ERT and elsewhere. A reverse die crack connects the border to an arrow fletching, continuing through the eagle's tail feathers and over to ICA. A distinct die crack angles up to the right through the vertical shield stripes. Other minor reverse cracks are noted in the Bass- Dannreuther book.

In Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties, A Study of Die States, 1795-1834, John W. Dannreuther estimates a population of eight to 12 examples. However, we have a current roster of 17 distinct examples of BD-4. The top six examples listed below are the only Mint State coins in our record, followed by eight AU-level coins, and three XF pieces.

Minor adjustment marks cross the horizontal shield lines of this Select Mint State piece that is the finest example of the variety known to us, slightly edging out an MS63 NGC coin. This piece has brilliant and frosty yellow-gold surfaces with full luster and outstanding eye appeal.

A Roster of Significant Examples provided by Ron Guth of the Numismatic Detective Agency
1. MS63+ PCGS. Stanley Kesselman, sold privately on 2/28/1973; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation Collection (HBCC# 3185). The present coin.
2. MS63 PCGS. ANA Signature (Heritage, 3/2003), lot 6346, realized $19,550; Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection (Stack's Bowers, 11/2022), lot 4016, realized $66,000.
3. MS62 PCGS. Chicago Signature (Heritage, 8/2011), lot 5621, realized $51,750.
4. MS62 NGC. Brady Bloch Collection (Goldberg Auctions, 9/1999), lot 1812, realized $13,800.
5. MS61 PCGS. Rarities Night (Stack's Bowers, 8/2020), lot 1276, realized $26,400. PCGS Cert Verification for this certificate number incorrectly shows an image of a 1799 $10 Small Stars, BD-6.
6. MS61 PCGS. ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/1998), lot 7741, realized $10,925.
7. MS60 ANACS. Elmer S. Sears (1910); John H. Clapp; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Eliasberg Estate (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1982), lot 653, misattributed as Breen 4-E (BD-7); November Signature (Heritage, 11/2003), lot 7641, misattributed as Breen 5-G (BD-10), realized $29,900.
8. AU58 NGC. Pre-Long Beach Elite (Superior, 9/2004), lot 3642, realized $24,150; Tyrant Collection (Dan O'Dowd) (Coin 16, displayed at the 2/2020 Long Beach Expo).
9. AU58 NGC. Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 9/2015), lot 4189, realized $21,150; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2016), lot 5607, realized $18,800.
10. AU55 PCGS OGH. ANA Rarities Night (Stack's Bowers, 8/2018), lot 1296, realized $15,600.
11. AU55 PCGS. James A. Stack, Sr. Collection (Stack's, 3/1995), lot 557, realized $7,150; Anthony J. Taraszka Collection (Stack's Bowers, 8/2019), lot 4020, realized $28,800. Plate coin for the die variety in Anthony J. Taraszka's United States Ten Dollar Gold Eagles: 1795-1804.
12. AU55 PCGS. FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2008), lot 3246, realized $25,300; Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 2/2010), lot 1646, realized $20,700; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2016), lot 5606, realized $17,040.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 45727, Base PCGS# 98562, Greysheet# 198079)

Weight: 17.50 grams

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper

This is the coin for sale in the Bass sale: 1799 Drape Bust Eagle (Bass Sale at Heritage).