1799 Eagle (1799 $10) Small Stars Obverse, BD-6, R-5 Rarity NGC AU58. This lovely 1799 Eagle shows subdued mint luster remaining within the devices. A couple of light wispy marks are seen on the surfaces along with just trace of minor wear on Libertys hair, in keeping with the grade. Except for stars 11-13, both sides of the coin are well struck. No adjustment marks are seen on the coin. There is a die crack from the edge above star 8 to Libertys hair on the obverse and one on the reverse through the tops TE. The coin was struck from rotated dies, an error that is not mentioned on the NGC insert. Neither the die cracks nor the rotated dies detract from the coins grade or its value. In fact, since errors on gold coins are rare, they enhance its worth. President Thomas Jefferson appointed Robert Scot Chief Engraver of the Mint on November 23, 1793. Although he was criticized for his designs, they were the first struck for the United States. Scot had been an engraver of paper money during the Revolution. His ability to work as a die cutter was somewhat limited, and he had failing eyesight. Despite these limitations he engraved dies that created the first copper, silver, and gold coinage. The coins he produced had errors, and they were not the same quality as European coinage, however, Congress would not allow a European firm to contract the work. It was the best that the young country could produce at the time.

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.

The source of 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.

All early eagles are rare and sought by collectors and specialists in all conditions. The 1799 eagle had an original mintage of 37,449, which includes both varieties, Small and Large Stars. In their population reports both major grading services show 460 Large Star coins certified in all grades with the present coin about in the middle of the group.