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The Midwest Winter Sale 2008
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Please Note: A 15% Buyers' Premium is added to the hammer price of all lots in this sale.
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(About The Images)
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Lot Title:
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1799 (BD-8 'small stars', R.5), ANACS UNC details, cleaned, net AU-50
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Description:
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BD-8 is an R.5 (rare) die marriage, with perhaps 45 - 55 examples estimated to survive. The attribution can be confirmed by the evenly spaced, but irregular positioned digits in the date, and by a small die crack within the "C" of AMERICA on the reverse. Any "small stars obverse" 1799 gold eagle is scarcer than it's "large stars" counterpart as a general type coin, but of course, any gold coin from this early era stands out as a desirable rarity in any case.
ANACS has provided a grade assessment of UNC DETAILS "cleaned", net AU-50. It certainly is obvious that this coin has no wear from circulation, as the highpoint detail is remarkably sharp and definitely not worn. And it is equally certain that the coin has been cleaned, as there are numerous faint, but undeniably present hairlines visible throughout both sides. The coin overall displays an unnaturally flat appearance that results from a combination of semi-prooflike fields and the light cleaning. Nonetheless, in our opinion, a ten point deduction in grade seems unduly harsh, as subsequent natural patination has restored the greater portion of this coin's original eye appeal. We believe that the coin could qualify for a net value of at least AU-58.
Attentive examination with a loupe reveals a lot about the production of large gold coins by our early mint. A plethora of die polish lines imply considerable time spent in buffing the dies so as to provide clean field quality, and the amount of very fine detail visible in Liberty's hair says much of the manual capabilities of the die engraver, despite the limitations of the clumsy technology available at the time. Some of the tiny pockmarks that appear throughout the fields, and in particular amongst the reverse stars, were present prior to the time of striking, and no doubt resulted from difficulties in properly annealing and preparing planchets. Our coin does not display any adjustment marks, but of course, many other examples do. Speculation on the state of the dies is an interesting topic as well. A prominent die crack through MER on the reverse exemplifies this as a late die state; earlier struck coins lack this characteristic. Other die cracks mingle with the peripheral reverse letters, including "D", "S2", "O" and "C".
It is possible to obtain finer examples than the present offering, which is to say, coins that lack grading disclaimers, but at no small cost. An unencumbered uncirculated 18th century eagle is an expensive proposition. The reality is that many collectors would be well satisfied with owning this historic coin just as it is. Overall, the noted impairment is not that bad at all, and combined with the knowledge that this coin retains all of its original, unworn detail, the opportunity afforded ought to be well worth investigating.
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Low Estimate:
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$10,000.00 |
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High Estimate:
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$13,000.00 |
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Lot Status:
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Bidding has been closed for this lot. |
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Hammered Price: |
$12,500.00
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Price Realized:
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$14,375.00 |
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Price history for items of the same classification:
| Lot # | Auction | Current Bid or Hammer Price | Description |
| 931 | The Midwest Summer Sale 2012 on 07/27/2012 | $5,000.00 |
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1799 Small Stars. AU details/cleaned/repaired.
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Surface issues definitely affect this early gold eagle, but strong definition should provide some enticing value for the type collector who requires maximum details for the smallest possible cash... |
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| 526 | The Collectors' Auction 2011 on 10/21/2011 | $7,000.00 |
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1799 Small Stars. AU details/cleaned/repaired.
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The type collector who needs a strong example of an early gold eagle but doesn't want to spend a fortune might well consider bidding on this, a 1799 that isn't without its faults, but still has much... |
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| 1040 | The Collectors' Auction 2008 on 10/17/2008 | $18,250.00 |
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1799 Small Stars Obverse, Breen-6838, Taraszka-18, R-5. NGC AU-55.
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Unusually nice, original surface quality produces excellent, wholesome eye appeal for this "small stars obverse" 1799 eagle. Antique gold color tints the fields, yielding to glimpses of yellow mint... |
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| 1080 | The Collectors' Auction 2007 on 10/19/2007 | $7,750.00 |
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1799 Small Stars. XF Details, Heat and Rim Damage.
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This is the so-called “irregular date,” Breen-6840. Disregarding a couple of tiny rim cuds that are as struck, there are a couple of dings that have lightly impacted the rims of this predominantly... |
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| 1081 | The Collectors' Auction 2007 on 10/19/2007 | $12,250.00 |
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1799 Small Stars. ANACS UNC DETAILS, NET AU-50, CLEANED.
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Although this boldly struck, early eagle's label inscription states it being cleaned, it maintains an alluring charm. Additionally, it is being attributed as an irregular date variety. Its golden... |
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| 396 | The Collector's Auction on 10/20/2006 | $12,000.00 |
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1799 Small Stars. AU-50++.
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This 18th century specimen, having Small Obverse Stars, is attributed as Breen 4-E with a Rarity-3. A vivid rose brings forth an elegance to its lavish yellow-gold surfaces. Slight obverse hairline... |
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| 397 | The Collector's Auction on 10/20/2006 | $17,750.00 |
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1799 Small Stars. AU-58.
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This early Federal Eagle displays a warm, natural gold charm. Furthermore, it retains the majority of its lustrous beauty despite the probability of being carefully dipped. There is a mark that... |
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| 1141 | The Midwest Winter Sale on 02/17/2006 | $4,000.00 |
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1799 Small Stars. ANACS XF-40.
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The ANACS label ascribes this Eagle as "EF 40 DETAILS EX-JEWELRY CLEANED." Evidence of where this piece was attached as an ornamentation, to a piece of jewelry, is seen on the obverse at the upper... |
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