The
Capped Bust Right eagles of the late 18th and early 19th centuries are truly
majestic relics of our numismatic heritage, representing the largest
denomination struck by the U.S. Mint until the debut of the double eagle in
1850. Introduced as a denomination in 1795, a major revision took place just
two years later with the implementation of the Heraldic Eagle reverse part way
through the 1797 issue.
The
1797 Heraldic Eagle mintage comprised three known die marriages that shared a
single obverse die but three distinct reverses traditionally attributed to
Assistant Engraver John Smith Gardner. Curiously, the BD-3 marriage features a
reverse with an eagle unlike the other two, exhibiting a short, thick neck that
is more commonly associated with Chief Engraver Robert Scot, who set the
standard for the design from 1799 until its conclusion in 1804. The 1797 BD-3
is the scarcest of the three known Heraldic Eagle varieties of the year, with
perhaps as few as 40 examples remaining. Scarcely offered without mishandlings,
the AU-53 (NGC) coin to be featured in our March 2017 Baltimore Auction is an
exciting opportunity for early gold enthusiasts.
The
bright yellow glow of this piece is accented by the faintest rose-gold
suggestions atop the highest points of each side. Frosty luster closely halos
the design elements and is most bountiful throughout the obverse peripheries.
The vertical shield stripes on the reverse harbor a series of moderate marks,
though the surfaces are otherwise pleasantly smooth. Adjustment marks have affected
the robustness of Liberty’s shoulder on the obverse and are also responsible
for the missing two stars on the corresponding celestial array. This is an
overall attractive and satisfying example of this rare variety.
This
1797 eagle will be featured among other world-class rarities in our March 2017
Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo, featuring the
Blue Moon Collection and sold in conjunction with the D. Brent Pogue Collection
Part V. To secure your copies of these exciting catalogs, please contact our
offices today at 1-800-458-4646.
