1791 Small Eagle Cent. Musante GW-17, Baker-16, W-10630. Copper. UNITED STATES Edge. MS-65+ BN (PCGS

1791 Small Eagle Cent. Musante GW-17, Baker-16, W-10630. Copper. UNITED STATES Edge. MS-65+ BN (PCGS).，This is an exquisite Gem with satin to modestly reflective surfaces and an overall sharp strike. Warmly patinated in glossy copper brown, iridescent blue undertones are evident at direct viewing angles, as are faint traces of original pinkish-apricot color. Like their Large Eagle counterparts, the Washington Small Eagle cents were produced in England and intended for circulation in the United States, as the variant with edge lettered UNITED STATES OF AMERICA X confirms. While some examples did see circulation in the new nation via distribution through John and Thomas Ketland in Philadelphia, many pieces were retained in England, where they found their way into contemporary numismatic cabinets. As with most high grade survivors of the Washington Small Eagle cent, this piece undoubtedly came from an English collection, although we caution bidders that most such examples are of the more plentiful Large Eagle type. A lovely coin destined for inclusion in a noteworthy collection of early federal era coinage or Washingtoniana.，，