This week we showcase another memorable early eagle—part of the 1795 to 1804 $10 gold coins to be offered in our D. Brent Pogue Collection Part II sale. The date is September 30 and the venue is at the international headquarters of our partner, Sotheby’s, in New York City. You are cordially invited to attend as a bidder, buyer, or interested observer. Numismatic history will be made. Overall, this collection is far and away the most valuable ever to cross the auction block worldwide, with no close competition. On the next day, October 1, in the same venue we will have a companion auction of important American coins.
The D. Brent Pogue 1801 eagle, BD-2 variety, tied for finest graded by PCGS, will be ideal for a specialist in die varieties or for inclusion in a high-quality type set. It is an exquisite Gem example of this date. The surfaces are rich yellow gold, and exhibit nearly full mint brilliance save for blushes of deep champagne on both sides. The obverse is satiny and highly lustrous, with sharp mint frost on the central device. The reverse fields are generously prooflike throughout, and accentuate the sharp, satiny motifs. Fine striations seen in the fields are from die finishing and are as made.
While two die varieties are known with the 1801 date, nearly all known specimens are from this combination. The other 1801 variety suffered a total failure of both dies fairly early in its life; today, that die marriage is rated Rarity-5. Many hundreds of survivors exist from this die marriage, but not all of the 44,344 eagles struck this year were dated 1801. Many were dated 1800, including some with that date that used the reverse die from 1801 BD-1 in a later die state. John Dannreuther suggests that there is a possibility some 1799-dated eagles may have even been coined this year.
Blessed with special freshness and aesthetic appeal, this coin stands out among the crowded field of 1801 eagles. When all grades are considered, this is the easiest early eagle to acquire, often selected by type collectors who can have their pick of specimens in most states of preservation over the span of a few years. As a gem, the rarity of this variety elevates dramatically, and the MS-65 level represents the highest echelon reached by an 1801 eagle seen by PCGS.
In connection with our series of sales you are invited to purchase one or both of the reference books we have published giving general background as well as much information about the numismatic market and events from the 19th century onward:
Treasures from the D. Brent Pogue Rare Coin Cabinet, 208 pages, color illustrated, quality hardbound. This tells the stories of 100 special coins in the copper, silver and gold series, selected from over 650 specimens to be auctioned. We guarantee you several evenings of enjoyable reading. $39.95 plus shipping.
The 1822 Gold Half Eagle: Story of a Rarity, 128 pages, color illustrated, quality hardbound. The Pogue Collection 1822 half eagle, the only one in private hands, provides the opportunity to discuss the three pieces in existence (the other two are in the National Numismatic Collection), their owners over a long period of time, and the story of coin collecting from the 19th century to modern times. $39.95 plus shipping.
For more information or to order visit http://media.stacksbowers.com/poguecollection/pogue-the-books.html
Beyond that, we are producing a deluxe leather-bound series of auction catalogs. Here is how you can add these to your library:
The D. Brent Pogue Collection: Masterpieces of United States Coinage Part I – May 19, 2015
This beautiful, deluxe leather bound catalog will be an important addition to your numismatic library. We invite you to purchase this magnificent volume or to subscribe to the entire set of five D. Brent Pogue Collection hardbound catalogs. Each volume contains highly readable text combined with much information not available from any other single source.
Option 1: The D. Brent Pogue Catalog Part I ($150 plus $15 flat rate shipping within the U.S.)
Option 2: Subscribe to the series ($120 each plus $15 flat rate shipping within the U.S. for each volume)
For more information visit StacksBowers.com/Pogue
To order call 800.458.4646 • 866.811.1804
