Lot 1181
1797 $1 B-2, BB-72 Rarity 4. 9x7 Small Letters. PCGS graded VF-25. A pleasing, evenly worn example of this rare bust dollar. Attractive antique gray coloration. In 1797, the number of stars on the silver dollar was increased to 16. The coinage is said by government reports to be the lowest of any year from 1795 to 1803, although now it is believed that the numbers given are incorrect. Bowers suggests that most or all of the mintage of 7,776 coins reported for the calendar year may have been of earlier dates, and that most coins struck from dies dated 1797 were actually made in early 1798.
From his encyclopedia: "It is a virtual certainty that many more than 7,776 silver dollars were struck with the 1797 date. I estimate the number to be 60,000 (within about 10%) … numerous numismatic data suggest that the mintage of 1797 must have been about on a par with that of 1796, or not significantly different. (I estimate the mintage of 1796 to have been 75,000, not far from the official government figure for the calendar year of 79,920; however, some 1796 dollars may have been struck later as well, and part of the 79,920 number may have consisted of 1795-dated dollars.)" Pop 1; 5 finer for the variety, 2 in 40, 2 in 45, 1 in 53 (PCGS # 40005) .
Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,400.
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| Realized $4,830 |
