Lot 1600
1801 Draped Bust Dollar. . B-1, BB-211. PCGS graded EF-45. Nicely toned on both sides. Nicely toned, yet basically all-original in appearance, the fields being deeper in color than the light gray high points of Liberty's hair and the eagle's main elements. The few wispy abrasions do not detract from the overall smooth pleasing eye appeal of this well preserved specimen from 1801.
"To the shores of Tripoli." There is at the moment a lot of discussion about undeclared wars. America's first such undeclared war took place in 1801, the year of this silver dollar. Conflict with the North African port city of Tripoli's pirates finally led, four years later, the U. S. consul in Tunis, William Eaton, to collect a ragtag army in Egypt to subdue them. Consisting of 38 Greeks, 300 Arabs, a dethroned pasha, and 7 U.S. marines under Lieut. Preston N. O'Bannon, they marched 600 mile across the desert to attack Tripoli from the rear. The phrase "To the shores of Tripoli" in the U. S. Marines' hymn refers to this unusual incident. Pop 1; only example graded at PCGS; 17 coins graded at NGC.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000.
Ex Dr. Hesselgesser.
|
| |
| Unsold |
