-40%

1799 Bust Dollar BB 161 VF Nice Reverse DIE CRACK ! Holed 600 to 1100 survive

$ 1211.76

Availability: 64 in stock
  • Denomination:
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Certification: Uncertified
  • Circulated/Uncirculated: Circulated
  • Coin: Draped Bust
  • Condition: Would be Very Fine, except it is holed. Probably old cleaning, but has nice patina now. Coin was holed after it was taken out of circulation, and hole has rough edges from its drilling. Also there is flattening from a hammer or other tool at about the 11 o'clock position, and opposite on the reverse, plus slight bending in this vicinity.

    Description

    1799 Bust Dollar BB 161 VF  Nice Reverse DIE CRACK !     Holed     600 to 1100 survive
    It is die variety BB-161. On page 348 and 349 of  "Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia", by Q. David Bowers  ( Published by Bowers & Merena Galleries in 1993 ) , there is a detailed discussion of this die variety; If you don't own this book, and you collect early US Dollars, you ought to get a copy.
    Of particular interest to the collector of early US Silver Dollars is the distinctive DIE CRACK on the reverse of variety BB-161. This is not an obscure die crack, but a bold crack running (from about  the 9:30 o'clock position) from the edge, to just above the "D" in "UNITED", through the eagle's dexter wing, then through top of the star below the eagle's beak, and then through the eagle's head. That's about halfway across the top center section of the coin.
    There is also a fainter die crack running from the feathers of the bunch of arrows, up through the middle of "UNITED" .
    Bowers estimates that there are between 600 and 1,100 specimens of this variety of 1799 dollar extant.
    This coin was probably cleaned sometime in its 224 year history, but has nice toning. It was holed after the coin was taken out of circuulation. The hole was drilled from the obverse side, and still has raised rough edges. Also, the coin was struck with a hammer or other tool at about the 11:00 position on the obverse. This caused a flattened area, and a slight bend, in that vicinity.
    Still, it is a presentable early dollar "as is", or it might be a candidate for professional restoration.
    .
    All my coins are stored in a bank vault. I will mail this coin insured, and the buyer will have to sign for it.