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Sale 65
Lot 5031
1798 B-2, BB-81 Small Eagle 15 Obverse Stars Rarity 3. PCGS graded AU-55+. Subset of PCGS # 6868. In a new secure plus holder. A highly desirable specimen with a nuance of pale champagne gold overlay in the otherwise light natural gray toning on both sides, all of which is underpinned by full satin freshness. Surfaces are pristine. The eye-appeal next to impossible to describe without everyone holding this coin in his hand examining it first-hand. Struck from typically-sharp dies that imported a bold texture to Liberty and the eagle, only the peripheral stars show any rounding at all. The Small Eagle is imbued with luster in the feathers and throughout the surrounding field. Strike is, as on almost all of these, light on the body and legs. On the other hand, the wreath is finely detailed, while the legend is sharp as well. To reiterate: superb surfaces; perfect rims that serve to balance the well-centered strike; no problems of any kind. This offers the sophisticated buyer infinite possibilities while acquiring a World Class Type or Variety set of early Bust Silver Dollars. Pop 1; none finer at PCGS for the variety.
Die notes: BB-81 is the only 1798 dollar with 15 stars. "Undoubtedly, this die was made in 1795 or before June 1796, during which time 15 stars were standard; the die was complete except for the date," underscores the Bowers encyclopedia. "In 1798 the uncompleted die had the date added and was used to coin this variety. (Alternatively and less likely, it could have been a die cutting error similar to the 1817 15-star cent.)
"The highest wave of hair is incomplete, probably from relapping, which also caused certain lower hair curls to be incomplete. B and R in LIBERTY each tilted slightly right.
Wide numeral 8 in date; with top interior space of 8 a horizontal oval and the bottom a circle; a punch unique to this obverse, not used elsewhere in the early dollar series (not for the 8 on later dates such as 1800, 1801, etc., which have vertical oval spaces within the 8). This distinctive 8 punch was regularly used on 1798 $10 gold coins. It is possible that the obverse die was made circa 1795 but with just the first three date digits, 179, punched in; the final 8 could have been added in 1798 by selecting a punch from the wrong font. Squared-off bottom to 7." Obverse die used to strike 1798 BB-81 only (PCGS # 40007) .
Estimated Value $60,000-UP.
The Dr. Hesselgesser Collection.
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| Realized $60,375 |
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