Lot 1587
1798. Small Eagle, 13 Stars On Obverse. B-1, BB-82. Rarity 3. PCGS graded EF-45. CAC Approved. Lightly toned. A superlative specimen for the grade and of the optimum eye-appeal for this actively collected but often elusive Draped Bust, Small Eagle design. Some residual luster blends effortlessly with pale golden accents on the natural, light silver-gray surfaces. Top-notch in terms of aesthetic appeal. Both the peripheries and the central reverse are detailed and close to 100% crisp for their sharpness of strike, which is a forceful reminder in a coin from this era that it is quality that counts. Pop 3; 4 finer for the variety, 1 in 50, 1 in 53, 1 in 58, 1 in 58+. (PCGS # 40006)
Die notes: 13 Stars (standard star count of the year), arranged 7 left and 6 right. Close date, knob 9, figures 98 close. Squared-off bottom to 7. The space between stars 6 and 7 is wider than the spaces between any stars 1 through 6. On the right, the space between stars 10 and 11 is wider than the spaces between any stars 8 through 13. Ray of star 13 points at junction of bosom and drapery. This obverse die was used to strike 1798 BB-82 (earlier use) and BB-91 (later use).
Small Eagle, Large Letters style reverse. Struck from the same die used to strike 1797 BB-73. Eight berries in left branch. Lowest berry near ribbon bow is on inside of wreath. E of STATES is lightly repunched. A leaf points to the left corner of the I in UNITED, another leaf points to the left corner of the first T in STATES while another leaf points to the very end of the O in OF. Another leaf is positioned away from the R in AMERICA.
This reverse die was used earlier to strike 1797 BB-73 dollars, Die States I through IV, then removed from the press and used to strike 1798 BB-82 Die State I (with cracks slightly advanced from 1797 Die State IV) and Die State II (equivalent to 1797 BB-73 Die State V), then the striking of 1798 BB-82 dollars was discontinued, and the reverse die was re-mated with the same 1797 obverse, and additional 1797 BB-73 dollars were struck. Estimated Value $11,000 - 12,000
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| Realized $19,550 |
