Lot 5074
1799/8 B-2, BB-143 Draped Bust 13 Star Reverse Rarity 4. PCGS graded AU-55 PQ. CAC Approved. Subset of PCGS # 6884. In a new secure plus holder. Condition Census. A first-rate specimen with richly permeating russet and gray toning that flows in a stippled progression across the frosty surfaces. Satisfactorily struck for the variety, indeed, about as excellent as this BB-143 is ever found. The coin's designer would have loved this one!
In this variety, there are 13 stars above eagle. Die crack from border down through curved part of D and showing at base. Leaf point is below left side of upright of I in AMERICA. Star touches lower part of eagle's beak and just enters the mouth; ray points to right side of left upright of U in PLURIBUS. A in AMERICA touches 4th feather, but not the 3rd. Readily distinguishable from BB-142 by its reverse crack through the curve of the D in UNITED. There is a bar, on the reverse, in the clouds below the E in STATES which may be the remnants of a mispunched letter. Die flaw between left base of N and arrowhead, next to arrowhead. Far right edge of A is over junction of clouds 3 and 4. Reverse die used to strike 1799 BB-143 (late state) and BB-155 (early state).
1799/8 BB-143 is the scarcest of the three overdate die varieties of the year. Estimates are that between 76 to 200 of this variety exist. This estimate, if accurate, makes BB-143 at least twice as elusive as BB-142 and about three times harder to find than BB-141. Equally important, unlike BB-142, the 1799/8 BB-143 variety is usually seen in lower grades. Most are VF or less. Why this is so is a mystery. Pop 2; none finer at PCGS for the variety . (PCGS # 40066) .
Estimated Value $16,000-UP.
The Dr. Hesselgesser Collection.
|
| |
| Realized $13,225 |
