1797 Eagle

HBCC#:

3178

Breen#:

6835

BD#:

3

Judd#:

n/a

Pollock#:

n/a

This is the second 1797 Heraldic Eagle variety coined. Compare this obverse to HBCC-3177 and HBCC-3179. Note that HBCC-3177 has two upper left stars fully defined with all points completely sharp. The die was then lapped or polished prior to use with the current reverse, with these upper two stars having shortened inner points. When comparing this with HBCC-3179, note further differences in details among stars along the left border. This die marriage is the scarcest of three 1797 Heraldic Eagle varieties and was actually minted after two 1798-dated varieties. Harry Bass acquired this lovely example from the 1970 ANA Sale.

Provenance:

From RARCOA's ANA Sale, August 1970, Lot 1547.

Obverse:

Reverse:

Commentary:

"Obverse: Stars 10+6. Now lapped. Stars at left have slightly shortened inner points, with that of star 10 being significantly shorter. What were two cracks from edge to right side of base of 7 have now become a cud as a result of die crumble. Left crack continues only to lower serif of 7. The right crack now continues thru top serif to bust. Vertical die line below right arm of T. Reverse: Heraldic eagle, short neck above motto (distinctive). Eagle has no tongue (distinctive). Die center punch circle on breast below U of motto (distinctive). Lowest arrowhead extends only to midpoint of left stand of N. Crack thru tops of UNITED."