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Sale 75
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Lot 1580
1795. Off-center bust. B-14, BB-51. Rarity 2. PCGS graded EF-45. CAC Approved. Nice even toning. Exquisite surfaces and color of the most advantageous quality possible for the grade: The fields are unbeatable with medium antique gray offsetting lighter gray high points, as well, and the strike is nearly full, being quite crisp in most places barring some of the stars facing Liberty. Exceptional rim; preservation which any collector of museum quality specimens would give his eye tooth to own! Pop 1; 6 finer for the variety, 2 in 50, 2 in 55, 2 in 58. (PCGS # 39996)
The 1795 BB-51 is one of the most available varieties of the 1795 year and runs third only to the BB-27 and BB-21 Flowing Hair varieties. However, being a distinct new type with the Draped Bust, it receives strong interest from Type collectors. Over 1,000 specimens exist, according to the Bowers Silver Dollar encyclopedia, where the author states, "I estimate the number to be between 1,400 and 2,000.
"I believe the BB-51 to be the earlier of the two Draped Bust varieties dated 1795, as evidenced by the following: 1. The Draped Bust motif on the obverse was placed slightly to the left of where it should have been; this was corrected for the next variety, BB-52, and on all later dates of the type. 2. BB-51 exists in high grades in significantly larger numbers than does BB-52, and most of these are prooflike-indicating that some may have been made as presentation specimens of the new Draped Bust obverse, Small Eagle reverse design. Indicative of the availability of the issue, at the 1993 Florida United Numismatists Convention, dealer Ed Milas had three high-level Mint State coins on display.
"The striking of 1795 BB-51 is usually weak at the bottom reverse and top obverse (see details under Die States above); such coins are apt to have stars 7 through 10 weak at the centers, and the word LIBERTY slightly weak. Much rarer (about one in 10 coins) are well-centered pieces with all stars sharp, including full centers to stars 8 and 9 flanking LIBERTY; a "price is paid" for this sharpness, for such coins usually have the eagle's head and breast feathers less sharply detailed than on the off-center coins! Mint-caused planchet adjustment marks, when seen, are apt to be more prominent on the obverse, especially at the upper left. For some unexplained reason, more often than not these are oriented in a roughly northwest to southeast direction on the obverse.
"In the course of surveying close to 200 photographs of BB-51, I did not encounter any coins with die deterioration. The reverse die, as noted, went on to later use. What happened to the 1795-dated obverse is unknown. Perhaps like the famous one-hoss shay, it performed admirably and then broke apart all at once.". Estimated Value $8,000 - 8,500
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