1799 $5 BD-7, Small Reverse Stars MS(PCGS#519881)

The November 2011 Baltimore Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

9444

等级

MS61

价格

193,322

详细说明

1799 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. BD-7. Rarity-6+. Small Stars Reverse. MS-61 (NGC). The NGC insert incorrectly attributes this coin as an example of the Large Stars Reverse variety. A highly attractive example of this rare variety. Beautifully toned deep coppery orange on both sides, a fine complement to the overall eye appeal. The obverse has suggestions of prooflike reflectivity in the most protected areas of the design while the remaining surface area is invitingly lustrous, the reverse boldly so. Nicely struck with good definition of nearly all details. The eagle's breast feathers are exceptionally sharp, and apparently much more so than those on the Bass Core Collection coin illustrated in the Bass-Dannreuther reference. Harry Bass owned four examples of this die variety, but this was an anomaly in terms of the evidence for its rarity. Dannreuther's survey of auction appearances from 1990 to 2005 yielded just seven offerings, and he estimates that perhaps just 14 to 18 examples are known. This piece exhibits a few planchet flakes or voids, as made. Struck from a very late state of the dies, perhaps the terminal one with an extensive network of breaks on the reverse that is quite interesting to study in detail. It seems that there are at least 10 different cracks, varying in prominence, but most are quite heavy. In addition, there are small branches from the main cracks and the die is buckling at two positions. It is highly unlikely that this die held together for many more strikes, if any. While a seemingly unusual number of the few survivors seem to be in nice grade, it is likely that few would challenge this one in terms of eye appeal.