1798 $10 Capped Bust. 8 over 7, 9 stars left, 4 right. Taraszka 9:7-F, Rarity 4 High. PCGS graded EF-40. Thought to have been one of 900 struck, with approximately 75 to 100 surviving in all grades according to the excellent and just published reference work United States Ten Dollar Gold Eagles 1795-1804 by Anthony Taraszka. Breen, in his Encyclopedia, believed that just 18-20 survived. Mintages for coins from this early era have long produced many problems, for example, it is apparent from research that the Philadelphia Mint used dies in a haphazard fashion, with the date on the die being of little importance. One wonders why an overdate was even produced, when evidence now shows that after these 1798 eagles were struck, more 1797 eagles were produced (see the recent Taraszka reference work on the subject). We believe the mintage for this variety was probably a few thousand, as that number would "fit" the specimens now known of this date and others. Most likely some of the 1797 minted coins, or even the 1799s were actually 1798 dated eagles. Nevertheless, this is a rare coin and has been sought-after by generations of collectors. The surfaces show minor hairlines, and the usual die crack through the L of LIBERTY into the cap. Boldly struck, perfectly centered and pleasing in every way, this coin will entice most collects to bid heartily. Another opportunity!
