Lot 589
1795 B-1, BB-21 Rarity 2 2 Leaves. PCGS graded EF-45. As is the case with the obverse used to coin BB-27, the present obverse (also used to coin BB-22 and BB-23) had the head of Liberty firmly impressed into the die, causing it to be in slightly higher relief than most other varieties of the year; because of this, the hair details always show fine detail on the admittedly scarce higher grade specimens like the present EF45.
The reverse, first seen on BB-20 and later on BB-24 as well, consists of two leaves under each wing. A leaf ends directly below center of first S in STATES and another leaf ends just under left corner of upright of E in STATES. The wreath is delicate, leaves small, berries large. 19 berries arranged nine left, 10 right. Paired berries opposite I in UNITED, opposite A in STATES, under leaf below O in OF, and opposite I in AMERICA, on both inside and outside of wreath. One of these large berries is below right corner of I in UNITED, another below left corner of I in AMERICA.
This is one of just two 1795 reverses with two berries inside the branch near the eagle's tail (the other die is that used to coin 1795 BB-15 and BB-16). This reverse die bears a very close relationship with the reverse used to coin 1795 BB-15 and 20, and another die used to coin BB-23, and, according to the Bowers reference on the bust dollar series, "must have been prepared by the same person about the same time."
Lightly toned in the fields, developing deeper saturation to dark gray at the rims and around some devices; yet basically natural silver-gray in appearance. The few wispy abrasions do not detract from the overall pleasing eye appeal of this correctly graded specimen. Pop 2; 3 finer, 1 in 53, 1 in 55, 1 in 58. Only 8 examples graded for the variety at PCGS (PCGS # 39986) .
Estimated Value $15,000 - 16,000.
Ex: Hesselgesser Collection.
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