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Sale 65
Lot 5011
1795 B-1, BB-21 Flowing Hair 2 Leaves Rarity 2. PCGS graded AU-58 PQ. CAC Approved. Subset of PCGS # 6853. In a new secure plus holder. A worldly measure of pouring silvery luster livens up the wide expanse of neutral dove-gray surface on this exquisite specimen of the normally available (but rare in this condition) BB-21 2-leaves Flowing Hair. The fields are for all intensive purposes immaculate, while the strike is intrepid enough to call for special mention. Note in the photographs, if you arenít fortunate to be able to examine this specimen before bidding, how Libertyís hair stands out in sharp dimensions above her head. It is possible to pick out each strand, including the backward swooping waves at the temple and above the brow. All stars are full with the possible exception of Star No. 1 and a portion of Star 2. Rims are bold with complete dentils.
When describing the reverse,one could easily use the venerable term: Ditto. But here too, it pays to describe the detail more fully. For instance, the eagle has a complete eye, a line defining the separation between upper and lower beak, nostril (is this what it is called on a birdís beak? Breathing hole?), and almost full wing and tail feathers. Some breast details are indistinct. But this is the rule, almost never the exception on the Flowing Hair pieces. The wreath is complete and finely detailed as well, with letters in the legend clear. The color, as we said, is mainly light neutral to dove-gray over both sides. Very becoming. Free from marks or toning spots; free from streaks; above-and-beyond the call of duty for this outstanding grade of AU58. We thoroughly agree with the CAC approval rating.
In average condition, BB-21 is very common. Employing Obverse 6, the hair ends in five prominent curls, with a thin faint additional curl below the third curl from the top. The innermost point of star 1 just touches lowest curl. The curl continues upward to half close the loop. The head high and closer to LIBERTY than on most other obverses. The date is wide, with more space between 1 and 7 than other figures. The 7 in the date was repunched over an erroneous 1, prompting some to catalogue the variety as 1795 over 1195. This is diagnostic. (This die bears a very close resemblance to the die used to coin BB-15; especially with regard to the high position of the head and the relationship of the hair curl to the first star.) This die was used to strike 1795 BB-21, BB-22, and BB-23.
The long-lived Reverse G has two leaves under each wing and was used to strike 1795 BB-20, BB-21, and BB-24.
In referencing the varietyís rarity, Bowers considers BB-21 to be "second only to BB-27 in terms of its widespread availability." Still this means that there are only 1,000 to 2,500 coins of this variety thought to exist.
Pop 1; none finer at PCGS for the variety (PCGS # 39986) .
Estimated Value $40,000-UP.
The Dr. Hesselgesser Collection.
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