Lot 5027
1796 B-1, BB-66 Small Date Small Letters Rarity 4. PCGS graded AU-58 PQ. CAC Approved. Subset of PCGS # 6859. In a new secure plus holder. Condition Census. An extremely rare coin in AU58 condition, and certainly one of the very finest in existence. The surfaces are pleasing for the grade, with smooth fields (no nicks or defects). The surface is toned a light gray with darker antique flecks tucked into, around, and throughout the devices. The color is well balanced on the obverse and reverse. A boldly struck coin that shows mostly sharp stars (the two nearest Y of LIBERTY coming up a bit short, and strong feather definition on the eagleís upper body and wing. This is truly a tremendous BB-66 coin, not only for the grade but for the strike, color and quality.
Small date with the 9 and 6 closer together than other figures. Highest wave of hair under upright of E; second highest wave under and slightly to the right of the middle of R. This obverse bears a close resemblance with that of BB-63, and specimens should be compared to it. This and the obverse die used to strike BB-61 and BB-62 were the first two obverse dies cut in 1796, and have the lower right tip of the R in LIBERTY intact. Mated to the reverse 1795 BB-51. Wreath is composed of a palm branch (right) and olive branch (left), the latter with seven berries. A short, prominent die scratch extends up to left from tip of right, inside leaf below (observer's) left wing. Berry under A of STATES; a quick way to identify this reverse. Pop 1; none finer at PCGS for the variety. The Finest Known BB-66 (PCGS # 39999) .
Estimated Value $50,000-UP.
The Dr. Hesselgesser Collection.
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| Realized $63,250 |
