Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
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Early Dollars
1799 $1 8x5 Stars, B-23, BB-159, R.3, XF45 PCGS. CAC. Bowers Die State "IV." This popular and important 8x5 Stars 1799 dollar displays an advanced state of the dies that is later than the listed Die State III in the Bowers reference, but is further described therein as the terminal die state. Struck from heavily clashed dies, the obverse is extensively cracked -- with a pair of arcing die cracks that intersect at Liberty's neck, creating a biplanar surface and die bulge that also weakens the the strike on reverse field stars and clouds between STATES and OF. A related die crack runs from the edge above star 10 into the right obverse field. Jules Reiver's 1999 reference, Early Silver Dollars, mentions Die State c as "Heavy cracks around and over bust," but no further details are given.
A check of our archives (nearly 100 pictured examples) does not show any additional examples of this advanced die state. An Uncirculated coin with the same terminal die state ranks high in the Bowers list of Notable Specimens -- the Amon Carter, Jr. coin -- described in the Stack's 1984 sale of that collection as lot 226: "Brilliant Unc. The terminal state of the die, with an arc-like crack from star 1 across neck to below star 13, resulting in massive bulging of the die."
Remarkably, the present coin retains sharp definition except where influenced by the heavy cracks. Choice, deep silver-gray surfaces are richly toned with blue overtones and bits of silver luster shining through. The BB-159 variety is the sole 8x5 Stars die marriage, essential for type and listed separately in the 2017 Guide Book on page 222. We expect enthusiastic competition from early dollar specialists when this CAC-endorsed lot crosses the block.
From The Palos Verdes Collection.
1799 $1 8x5 Stars, B-23, BB-159, R.3, XF45 PCGS. CAC. Bowers Die State "IV." This popular and important 8x5 Stars 1799 dollar displays an advanced state of the dies that is later than the listed Die State III in the Bowers reference, but is further described therein as the terminal die state. Struck from heavily clashed dies, the obverse is extensively cracked -- with a pair of arcing die cracks that intersect at Liberty's neck, creating a biplanar surface and die bulge that also weakens the the strike on reverse field stars and clouds between STATES and OF. A related die crack runs from the edge above star 10 into the right obverse field. Jules Reiver's 1999 reference, Early Silver Dollars, mentions Die State c as "Heavy cracks around and over bust," but no further details are given.
A check of our archives (nearly 100 pictured examples) does not show any additional examples of this advanced die state. An Uncirculated coin with the same terminal die state ranks high in the Bowers list of Notable Specimens -- the Amon Carter, Jr. coin -- described in the Stack's 1984 sale of that collection as lot 226: "Brilliant Unc. The terminal state of the die, with an arc-like crack from star 1 across neck to below star 13, resulting in massive bulging of the die."
Remarkably, the present coin retains sharp definition except where influenced by the heavy cracks. Choice, deep silver-gray surfaces are richly toned with blue overtones and bits of silver luster shining through. The BB-159 variety is the sole 8x5 Stars die marriage, essential for type and listed separately in the 2017 Guide Book on page 222. We expect enthusiastic competition from early dollar specialists when this CAC-endorsed lot crosses the block.
From The Palos Verdes Collection.