1795 $1 BB-51, Off-Center Bust MS(PCGS#39996)

December 2020 U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

2244

等级

XF40

价格

45,224

详细说明

Handsome 1795 Draped Bust Silver Dollar BB-51 Off-Center Bust Variety 1795 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. BB-51, B-14. Rarity-2. Off-Center Bust. EF-40 (NGC). This richly original example exhibits bold peripheral toning in steel-olive that yields to somewhat lighter antique golden-gray toward the centers. Subtle powder blue and pale gold undertones flash into view as the coin dips into a light -- a pleasing attribute. The strike is ideally centered with plenty of bold detail remaining in the more protected areas of the design. Light adjustment marks in the center of the reverse are as made, a tiny contact mark under the eagle's left wing the only post-production blemish of note on either side. Henry William DeSaussure had as part of his goals upon becoming Mint Director in June of 1795 to improve the appearance of the nation's coins, especially the silver denominations. DeSaussure contracted with portrait artist Gilbert Stuart to prepare a depiction of Liberty which was then transferred into plaster models and punches by John Eckstein for Engraver Robert Scot, as well as a set of improved versions of the Small Eagle reverse punches. While only a short-lived type lasting all of four years, the resulting Draped Bust, Small Eagle silver dollar is often heralded as a masterpiece from the early United States Mint. The Stuart/Eckstein Draped Bust was used for the rest of the series until coinage of silver dollars was suspended in 1804. Of the two different die combinations used for the 1795 Draped Bust dollar, the BB-51 Off-Center Bust variety featuring Liberty appearing too far to the left from the center is believed to have been the first of the new dollars coined. The total struck is not quite known; while the estimated mintage figure is 42,738 pieces, this is thought to be a portion of the overall total for the 1795 Draped Bust dollar, which may be closer to 100,000 coins of both varieties. The BB-51 is the more plentiful of the two die marriages with as many as 1,400 to 2,000 coins extant in all grades, though the lion's share of these typically found at the VF level. Higher grade level specimens are much scarcer with appealing EF and AU pieces quite challenging to locate. With solid technical quality for the assigned grade, here is an ideal candidate for both an advanced type collection or specialized early dollar cabinet. PCGS# 39996. Click here for certification details from NGC.