Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
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Early Eagles
1795 $10 13 Leaves, BD-2, High R.4, MS61 PCGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/d. BD-2 is the second-most plentiful 1795 eagle variety, although with only 90 to 110 pieces known, per John Dannreuther, it is still scarce in all grades. The BD-2 die marriage is less than half as plentiful as its more common counterpart, the BD-1. But the separation of these two issues becomes even more significant in Mint State. Our Permanent Auction Archives show just five previous offerings of a problem-free Uncirculated BD-2 coin, compared to 17 appearances of the BD-1 equivalent. Neither variety is nearly as plentiful as the certified population figures would suggest; PCGS alone reports 86 Uncirculated submissions of the two 13 Leaves varieties combined, which likely includes multiple resubmissions.
The most recent BD-2 representative that we have handled was an MS61 NGC coin in the FUN Signature sale (Heritage, 1/2015), lot 4312, which garnered $94,000. Nearly a decade ago, an MS63 PCGS example realized more than $200,000, (Heritage, 1/2007), lot 3604. This MS61 coin compares well both visually and technically to the last BD-2 example that we handled in this grade. It is evenly struck with strong border dentils and satiny yellow-gold luster in the protected regions of the fields. Moderate weakness on the central devices is typical of the variety, and the faint remnants of mint-made adjustment marks are visible on the central reverse and occasionally around the periphery. Scattered abrasions and light chatter limit the grade, as expected.
Regardless of the certified population totals, any Mint State 1795 eagle, regardless of variety, is rarely offered at public auction. More BD-1 coins are known in Mint State than the combined total of all other 1795 varieties. The chance to acquire any Mint State Small Eagle ten other than a BD-1 coin is an important event for early gold enthusiasts. Population (both 13 Leaves varieties included): 9 in 61, 32 finer (11/16).
1795 $10 13 Leaves, BD-2, High R.4, MS61 PCGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/d. BD-2 is the second-most plentiful 1795 eagle variety, although with only 90 to 110 pieces known, per John Dannreuther, it is still scarce in all grades. The BD-2 die marriage is less than half as plentiful as its more common counterpart, the BD-1. But the separation of these two issues becomes even more significant in Mint State. Our Permanent Auction Archives show just five previous offerings of a problem-free Uncirculated BD-2 coin, compared to 17 appearances of the BD-1 equivalent. Neither variety is nearly as plentiful as the certified population figures would suggest; PCGS alone reports 86 Uncirculated submissions of the two 13 Leaves varieties combined, which likely includes multiple resubmissions.
The most recent BD-2 representative that we have handled was an MS61 NGC coin in the FUN Signature sale (Heritage, 1/2015), lot 4312, which garnered $94,000. Nearly a decade ago, an MS63 PCGS example realized more than $200,000, (Heritage, 1/2007), lot 3604. This MS61 coin compares well both visually and technically to the last BD-2 example that we handled in this grade. It is evenly struck with strong border dentils and satiny yellow-gold luster in the protected regions of the fields. Moderate weakness on the central devices is typical of the variety, and the faint remnants of mint-made adjustment marks are visible on the central reverse and occasionally around the periphery. Scattered abrasions and light chatter limit the grade, as expected.
Regardless of the certified population totals, any Mint State 1795 eagle, regardless of variety, is rarely offered at public auction. More BD-1 coins are known in Mint State than the combined total of all other 1795 varieties. The chance to acquire any Mint State Small Eagle ten other than a BD-1 coin is an important event for early gold enthusiasts. Population (both 13 Leaves varieties included): 9 in 61, 32 finer (11/16).