Lot 1399
1798. Small Eagle, 15 Stars. B-2, BB-81, Rarity 3. NGC graded EF-45. Even grey toning on the obverse and reverse. This is the only die pairing of 1798 to have 15 stars on the obverse, and this feature is always paired with the Small Eagle style reverse die. What is most curious about this fact is that this obverse die must have been nearly completed in 1796, as that was the last time when 15 stars were used--as Tennessee joined the union in June of 1796, and 16 stars were needed. Rather than waste otherwise work-ready dies, the Mint elected to complete the die with the date 1798 and use it for coinage. The number of required stars reverted to the original 13 colonies when this die was used, which may have been the driving force to use this leftover die that would otherwise be wasted. Add to this the use of the Small Eagle style reverse, which appears on only two die marriages of 1798, and you have a clear case of house cleaning at the Mint! Thankfully for collectors, these coins are available for a price, and are eagerly collected as major type variations. This is one of the nicer examples to pass through our hands recently. Pop 27; 19 finer at NGC.
Estimated Value $12,000 - 13,000.
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| Realized $12,925 |
