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Sale 85
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Lot 1404
1798. Large Eagle, Wide Date, 13 Arrows. B-34, BB-126 PCGS graded Genuine VF Details. This is a recently discovered new die pairing for the year 1798. Both dies are known to have struck other die marriages, but this combination was heretofore unknown. As Bust dollars have been one of the most collected and studied series for seven generations, it is extraordinary that this new variety lay hidden all these years only to be discovered by Scott Mitchell, an independent coin dealer from New York. Even more remarkable is the fact that another new die pairing was discovered in the Bust dollar series late last year but that coin is dated 1803--prior to that it had been at least a dozen years since the discovery of a new die variety in this series. Collecting Bust dollars by die variety has always been challenging, but with these new unique pieces added to the possible varieties, a whole new twist must be considered if one is to pursue an advanced collection.
Rather pleasing in appearance with deeper gray fields that offset lighter silver-gray devices. The surfaces are pleasing and lack all but a few minor nicks and scratches from circulation. The strike is likely characteristic of this variety, with the top of Liberty's hair rather poorly stuck up, and the area opposite, the shield, is even weaker. This localized weakness was probably caused by the two dies being slightly misaligned, so the greatest striking pressure was focused on the area near the date and the top of the reverse. Perhaps the dies were removed after a very limited production run of this variety, ending this variety and accounting for its great rarity. It would seem likely that no more than a couple of these may eventually be found, and it is entirely possible that this is the only surviving example of this die pairing. Collectors have been searching long and hard for some of the rarities of this series, and precious few new coins turn up in any given decade. This particular coin appeared in a small country auction, and this was likely the first time it was attributed by die pairing. Needless to say, the purchaser of this coin may acquire the only example of this die pairing that exists, and it will remain a lynchpin for specialists to fight over for generations to come. The PCGS coin number associated with this new variety is 541930.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
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| Realized $49,350 |
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