|
Sale 65
Lot 5013
1795 B-13, BB-24 Flowing Hair 2 Leaves High Rarity 5. PCGS graded MS-62. Subset of PCGS # 6853. In a new secure plus holder. Condition Census. A magnificent natural gray example with a luxurious display of old-silver color and sheen on both sides. Some areas are lighter, others have more fully captured the essence of how silver as a metal develops toning when left on its own over two centuries. Nicely impacted by the dies, as well, perhaps not fully so at the eagleís head, chest and wings, but still well enough that its attraction is enhanced by the fact of this being the finest reported example. Rims have large, complete dentils. All legends crisply defined, as is the wreath. And whereas the obverses on some Flowing Hair dollars show little hair definition, this specimen is the antithesis: every hair strand is clearly defined. Libertyís eye, eyelid, and even the pupil in the eye are clearly there. Study it with a glass. Marvel at its workmanship. And then marvel again to think this coin was made over 215 years ago under conditions we Moderns might consider primitive in the extreme! Something for the connoisseur. One for the record books. Pop 1; none finer at PCGS for the variety. The Finest Known BB-24.
A very scarce Flowing Hair variety, and the finest specimen recorded. Concerning BB-24 in general, it is believed that "somewhere between 100 and 150 exist, most of which are in relatively high grades for a 1795 issue," this according to the Bowers encyclopedia of Bust Dollars. "In this regard, BB-24 is in sharp contrast to BB-26, the latter of which is usually seen in Fine. Most 1795 BB-24 dollars are in better grades such as VF or EF, or even finer." While Bowers thinks 100 to 150 examples exist it appears more likely that only 30 to 40 pieces have survived.
This important 2-leaves B-13, BB-24 variety shares Obverse 4 with BB-25. Libertyís flowing hair end in six curls, of which the 3rd and 4th are close together; the lowest curl barely misses a point of the first star, but continues on to touch and slightly pass a second point of the same star. The second curl from bottom turns downward pointing to the space between two points of the second star. Date is wide, with 79 closest. The E in LIBERTY punched over an earlier erroneous R [diagnostic]. The Y in LIBERTY is higher than the adjacent T, with the foot of R in LIBERTY shortened from a broken punch. The obverse is combined with Reverse G, with two leaves under each wing, which was paired with BB-20 and BB-21 before itís use here on BB-24.
Interestingly, Bolender knew of only three coins! "All things considered, the 1795 BB-24 dollar is an excellent variety for further research. Why are most specimens in higher grades? How many are known to exist?" [Bowers] (PCGS # 39989) .
Estimated Value $80,000-UP.
The Dr. Hesselgesser Collection.
|
| |
| Realized $87,000 |
|
