Lot 898
1799 B-17, BB-164 Rarity 2. PCGS graded AU-50. Housed in a new secure plus holder. Pop 2; 3 finer at PCGS for the variety, 1 in 53, 1 in 58, 1 in 62. Appealing lilac tones cover both sides. A substantial amount of luster can be seen throughout. The BB-164 reverse has five extremely large berries in olive branch, the largest on any 1799 dollar. The two upper berries are partly buried in the leaves. Point of star enters eagle's mouth, upper part of beak closing down on star. The point of the star almost touches lower part of beak; ray points to left edge of left serif of U in PLURIBUS. Leaf points near left corner of I in AMERICA. A does not touch feathers. Very short stem in claw; shortest stem on any 1799 reverse.
Unique to this reverse are raised die flaws resembling an equal sign (=) at an angle under the star that straddles clouds 2 and 3. An incuse die mark at the upper left corner of the leftmost cloud is present on the early die state; the second S in STATES is repunched at the inside of its lower loop. Far right edge of A is over junction of clouds 3 and 4. The letters in E PLURIBUS UNUM seem larger and in some instances differently proportioned on this reverse (and also on BB-162, a different die), in comparison to the other reverses of the year. Are they just more deeply raised on the die or was this from a different set of letter punches? (PCGS # 40055) .
Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000.
Ex: Hesselgesser Collection.
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| Realized $6,600 |
