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Description

Important 1798 Large Eagle Dollar, Rare B-16 Variety

1798 $1 Large Eagle XF 40. B-16, BB-110. Die State II. The massive die break on the obverse from the lower right rim across the top of the first three digits in the date quickly identifies this coin as an example of B-16. According to Bowers (Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia), B-16 is one of the rarest die varieties of the 1798 silver dollar. Few coins were produced with this obverse die because it broke early and definitively. Writing in 1950, Bolender stated that only two examples were extant. This number has since increased, but the total number of survivors is probably no more than 30-50 coins. Bowers' Condition Census for this variety includes two XF 40 examples: Bolender's personal specimen, later ANA Convention Sale (Superior, 1975, lot 875); and the W. Earl Spies specimen (Stack's, 1975, lot 79). We do not know the pedigree of the present coin, but it is definitely not one of these two examples.
This is an important coin that should attract significant attention from early dollar specialists. Traces of prooflike reflectivity are noted at certain angles, but the surfaces present an overall steel-gray appearance with isolated blushes of russet and olive patina. The reverse was struck slightly off center at the upper border, but all features are nicely defined despite 20 points of wear. There are scattered abrasions on both sides, and a series of staccato-like indentations in the reverse field between the F in OF and the eagle's right (facing) wing tip should serve as pedigree markers. A moderate scrape before the first A in AMERICA is also noted for identification purposes.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24X6, PCGS# 6873, GSID# 7158)

Metal: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper
Weight: 26.96 grams
ASW: 0.77352oz
Mintage: 327,536


Auction Info

Auction Dates
February, 2001
22nd-24th Thursday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 19
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 162
Sold on Feb 23, 2001 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
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