Lot 1595
1799 Draped Bust Dollar. 8 stars left, 5 right. . BB-159. PCGS graded EF-45. Nice details with light grey toning. Here, too, we are pleased to describe a first-rate bust dollar of the finest order in its class whose beautiful natural toning adorns the choice surfaces. Piercingly sharp for the date, easily finer in sharpness than many in nominally higher grades.
1799 BB-159, with stars arranged 8x5, is popular due to the distinctive obverse. About 500 to 900 are known, in the estimation of the Bowers encyclopedia of silver dollars, "so in absolute terms the coin is not rare. However, its popularity as a type has caused specimens to sell for prices far in excess of other 1799 dollars of comparable rarity." In a year with relatively little to offer in the way of truly notable die varieties other than the 1799/8 overdate, the 1799 BB-159 is a special favorite due to its distinctive character.
Obverse: Only 5 stars to right of bust. The obverse stars are arranged eight to the left and five to the right; the only 1799 with this peculiar arrangement. The reason for this configuration is unknown. It may have been a blundered die, or the engraver may have accidentally punched the eight stars on the left after just having cut a die for a 1799 $10 gold coin (all of which have stars arranged 8x5 this year). He would then have been forced to complete the die using only five stars on the right. Given the care taken to prepare dies at the Mint for dollar coinage this year, the 8x5 stars blunder is all the more remarkable. This obverse die used to strike 1799 BB-159 only. The reverse was used on BB-158, 159, 160, and 161. Pop 1; 1 in AU53; 1 in AU55 for the variety.
Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000.
Ex Dr. Hesselgesser.
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| Realized $4,600 |
