Lot 5029
1797 B-2, BB-72 Draped Bust 9X7 Stars Small Letters Rarity 4. PCGS graded AU-53. Subset of PCGS # 6866. In a new secure plus holder. In the top 3 of the Condition Census. BB-72 represents the sole variety for 1797 with the small letters reverse. On the obverse, the stars are arranged with nine to the left of Liberty and seven to the right. The reverse inscription: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," rendered in the small letter font -- a re-use of the small-letters reverse die first employed in 1795.
Even light silver gray with much luster remaining at peripheries and around devices. Sharply struck at peripheries though somewhat soft at central reverse, where several adjustment marks crisscross at and below the eagle. A very sharp, golden toned example of this elusive and popular major variety, labeled by Bowers in his Encyclopedia as "the most famous variety after 1794 and before 1804." This is the single finest certified by PCGS. Now considered Rarity-4, this variety was long considered a classic rarity and once upon a time was unpriced above VF. Pop 1; none finer at PCGS for the variety (PCGS # 40005) .
Estimated Value $40,000-UP.
Ex: Cardinal Collection; The Dr. Hesselgesser Collection.
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| Realized $58,938 |
