The 1797 is the scarcest date in the Capped Bust Right,
Small Eagle $10 gold series of 1795 to 1797. Specialist John W. Dannreuther
provides an estimated mintage of 1,250 to 3,615 coins, with only 55 to 65
extant in all grades. We are delighted to feature an impressive AU-55 (PCGS) in
lot
9192 of our November 2020 Showcase Auction, offered as part of the Naples
Bay Collection. Previously sold in our 1970 sale of the Seeman Estate and then
in our 1973 auction of the Scanlon Collection, we are thrilled to now bring
this piece back to market after nearly 50 years.
This is a visually impressive eagle, with a well centered strike
that gives particularly sharp detail to Liberty’s lower hair curls and the
eagle’s wing feathers. Pale sandy gold dominates the obverse, complemented by
vibrant honey and violet toning on the reverse. Only lightly circulated and
overall smooth, satiny Mint luster is noted in the protected areas. The
characteristic cracks at star 16 are sharp, accompanied by a pair of
rectangular indentations caused by striking through debris on the die. A
remarkable offering at the Choice AU level, this piece is tied with the
fabulous Taraszka
specimen sold in our August 2019 sale. Only seven coins have been certified
finer by PCGS.
This 1797 Small Eagle $10 in lot
9192 of our November 2020 Auction is pedigreed to the Naples Bay
Collection, and we anticipate considerable excitement when this fresh cabinet crosses
the auction block. The entire Stack’s Bowers Galleries November 2020 sale is
now available for viewing and bidding at www.StacksBowers.com. If
you would like to consign to a future Showcase event or have questions about
the consignment process, contact us today at Consign@StacksBowers.com or
800-566-2580.
