Lot 1597
1799. 8 stars left, 5 right. B-23, BB-159. Rarity 4. PCGS graded EF-45. Lightly toned on both sides. A famous Red Book variety. Only 5 stars to right of bust. The obverse stars are arranged eight to the left and five to the right; the only 1799 with this peculiar arrangement. The reason for this configuration is unknown. It may have been a blundered die, or the engraver may have accidentally punched the eight stars on the left after just having cut a die for a 1799 $10 gold coin (all of which have stars arranged 8x5 this year). He would then have been forced to complete the die using only five stars on the right. Given the care taken to prepare dies at the Mint for dollar coinage this year, the 8x5 stars blunder is all the more remarkable. This obverse die was used to strike 1799 BB-159 only. Pop 4; 5 finer for the variety, 2 in 53, 1 in 55, 2 in 58. (PCGS # 40063) Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,400
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| Realized $5,750 |
