Lot 900
1799 B-22, BB-168 Rarity 5. PCGS graded EF-45. Housed in a new secure plus holder. Pop 1; 1 finer in 50 for the variety. Lovely antique grey, gold, and a trifle of subtle blue toning is evident on both sides. The detail above the die crack on the reverse is quite impressive.
From the same Obverse 10 used to strike BB-167, there are two raised die flaws in the field, or "tears," before the eye, one very clear. The smaller is in the field close to and opposite to the bottom of the forehead, just above the bridge of the nose. The larger and by far the most notable is in the field about 40% of the way from the nose bridge to star 9. The last star is near the bust (about 0.5 mm.) and a little closer than the 8th star is to Y. The 7th star is farther from L, while the first star is nearly 2 mm. from the curl. Stars 11, 12, and 13 point to spaces between denticles. A small die flaw is visible in the field to left of a ray of star 8 closest to the bottom of Y. The last 9 is about as near bust as star 8 is to Y. Die flaw from outer point of 10th star. According to Bowers, "All examples are weakly struck on the hair."
Unique to this variety is Reverse P: Horizontal die crack entirely across center of reverse, from right side of E to left side of M. One arrow extends slightly past right side of upright of N. Star touches lower point of eagle's beak; ray points to left upright of U in PLURIBUS. Leaf point is slightly right of being under center of I in AMERICA. Letter A touches only 3rd feather. U in UNITED is cut off at upper left. It appears there was a defective U-punch (used on three different dies to strike BB-157; BB-158, 159, 161 and 162; and BB-168). The far right edge of A is over cloud 3. This reverse die used to strike 1799 BB-168 only.
"With a known population estimated to be in the range of 300 to 500 coins, 1799 BB-168 is at once elusive but sufficiently available that every serious specialist can own one. Most specimens are in lower grades through VF. EF coins are very rare. AU coins? Where are they? Mint State? Forget it." (PCGS # 40059) .
Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000.
Ex: Hesselgesser Collection.
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| Realized $4,313 |
