1799 $10 (1799 Eagle) Large Stars, NGC AU58. Early Gold Eagle. Abundant mint luster gleams from the devices of this early date 1799 Gold Eagle. The surfaces are remarkably clean for the grade. The coin shows just a trace of wear on the highest points of the design. Except for stars 1 to 4, the obverse strike is strong, and the reverse is well struck too. Clash marks are seen on both sides of the coin. They are especially prominent on Libertys neck near the drapery. These do not detract from the grade. The source of Robert Scots obverse design is probably a Roman engraving that copied a Greek goddess. In Scots mind the cap may have been a symbol of liberty; however, a Phrygian cap never looked like this one. A true Phrygian, or liberty cap was a close fitting, egg shaped cap that was worn by slaves and freed gladiators in Roman times. Slaves had shaved heads or very short hair. The cap covered this mark of slavery to show the wearer was a free man. The cap worn by Liberty has been called a turban, and because of it the design has been called the Turban Head. It is interesting to note that President Jefferson did not feel that the liberty cap was an appropriate symbol of freedom for the United States. He pointed out that we were never slaves, and the Phrygian cap was used for slaves that had been freed. Perhaps because of its use in France and elsewhere in Europe, the Phrygian cap remained an important symbol on early United States coinage.

In an incredible blunder Scot mixed up the positions of arrows and olive branch. Traditionally the olive branch is held in the eagles dexter or right, honorable, claw. In Scots version, the arrows are honorable and the olive branch is in the less honorable or sinister claw. This mistaken symbolism, if intended, shows either defiant militarism or political stupidity. On the other hand, if not intended, the mistake shows a blundering young country that cant even get its symbolism correct.

The design shows Liberty in profile facing right with the date below and slightly to the left. Above the date on the left side are eight stars followed by LIBERTY and the five remaining stars. Liberty is wearing a large, soft cap, and her hair flows down her side and back and shows on her forehead. The bust is strangely draped for a classical design, which was Scotts goal. Dentils are at the periphery of both sides of the coin. The reverse shows the heraldic eagle modified from the Great Seal of the United States. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the design, interrupted by the wing tips. A banner that goes over the right wing and under the left has the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. There are thirteen stars between the eagles head and the clouds above. In its claws the eagle holds the traditional arrows and olive branch, symbolic of preparedness and peace. The shield, with its vertical and horizontal stripes, represents the Union.

All early gold is rare and eagerly sought after by collectors and specialists. In its population report NGC shows 2 Large Stars reverse in AU58.