1801 Capped Bust Right Eagle
The reported mintage of eagles for calendar year 1801 is 44,344 pieces. Through the study of die states, however, numismatic scholars have determined that some 1800-dated coins were struck after those of the 1801 BD-1 variety (both share the same reverse). As such, the reported mintage for calendar year 1801 likely includes some coins dated 1800, and possibly also some dated 1799. With 600 to 800 coins believed extant from an estimated mintage of 30,000 to 40,000 pieces for the variety, in fact, 1801 BD-2 is actually the most plentiful early eagle die marriage. Mint State survivors are scarce, of course, as the demand for them is great among high quality type collectors and early gold enthusiasts.
The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the D. Brent Pogue Part II Auction, where it realized $217,375.