Lot 891
1798 B-31, BB-115 Rarity 4. PCGS graded AU-50 PQ. CAC Approved. Housed in a new secure plus holder. Pop 2; 2 finer in 53 for the variety. Pleasing antique grey toning covers both sides of this attractive example. A hint of golden coloration is visible here and there.
Extensive die cracks on reverse. Heavy crack from border down through right side of 0 to cloud; another crack from border to top of F to wing, down to cloud below, from border at right wing tip through A under MERICA across claw, stem, and tail; continuing under UNI, across bottom of TED, left wing tip, center of STA. Also four curved die cracks down from TES through stars. All seen are very weak above the eagle's head and at the corresponding obverse. The die could not have been used much longer than this die state.
1798 BB-115 is known to the extent of about 175 to 300 coins, and is one of the more elusive issues of 1798. Most are of Die State IV (see above). Most are in lower grades. The auction listing for an Uncirculated piece is several decades old, and in the absence of contradictory information, I call it EF45 in the Condition Census.
It is a small wonder that even as many as 175 or so coins are known, considering that Haseltine in 1881 did not know of the variety. It was a rarity in M.H. Bolender's eyes, and in 1950 he estimated that no more than a dozen existed of each of the two die states of which he was aware. Since then, dozens more have been discovered (PCGS # 40032) .
Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000.
Ex: Hesselgesser Collection.
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| Realized $8,913 |
