Lot 872
1795 B-7, BB-18 Rarity 3. PCGS graded AU-58 PQ. Silver Plug. CAC Approved. Housed in a new secure plus holder. Pop 1; none finer at PCGS for the variety. Taking into consideration the Silver Plug, this coin is likely a Rarity 5 or higher. Even antique grey coloration is highlighted nicely by golden undertones. The Silver Plug is emphasized well by a small area of deep blue toning. This sharply struck coin displays tremendous eye appeal and would be a fantastic addition to any high end collection.
BB-18 incorporates Obverse 4 in which Liberty's flowing hair ends in six curls. The lowest curl is very small and perfect. It touches the innermost point of star 1, as it continues to nearly complete a tiny oval loop. The curl end is close to and extends toward the innermost point on star 2. Although the last star partly under bust, it is not as far under as BB-11, and also not quite as close, but it is near. (Note: In BB-14 the last star is entirely under bust.) Wide date, most space between 1 and 7. This obverse was used to strike 1795 BB-16, BB-17, and BB-18.
The obverse is paired with Reverse F: Three leaves under each wing. The only 14-berry variety. Seven berries on each branch. There is only one berry on the left branch of the wreath between the eagle's wing and ribbon bow, and it is on the inside of the wreath. Two berries below the D in UNITED. Conspicuous die flaws at the end of the left ribbon are identifiers. E in AMERICA double punched at top. This reverse die used to strike 1795 BB-18 and BB-19 (PCGS # 39993) .
1795 BB-18 is one of the more available varieties of the year, but is hard to find in higher grades. Probably, about 500 to 800 survive in the estimation of the Bowers Encyclopedia. "In his 1881 Type-Table, J.W. Haseltine called this variety very rare," says Bowers. "By 1950, M.H. Bolender played the rarity down to the R-4 level, which, if the Sheldon Scale was intended, meant that Bolender felt that somewhere between 76 and 200 were known. Since then, many more have been identified."
"Inasmuch as a Uncirculated specimen of BB-18 appeared in the Lord St. Oswald Collection as part of a group of coins acquired in America in autumn 1795, it is certain that BB-18 was actually struck in 1795."
Estimated Value $80,000 - 90,000.
Ex: Cardinal/Hesselgesser Collection.
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| Realized $138,000 |
