Oct 1-2, 2001, The George Mouhtouris Collection, Sale 11
Lot 1781
1799. Normal date, B-12b, BB-160, URS-11, Rarity-3. ANACS graded AU-50. This is a wonderful late die state example of this fairly common variety. It is BB-160 die state IV, with several
die cracks on the obverse. For the die state, this coin is scarce in this grade, and would certainly satisfy even the most advanced collector. Minimal wear on the highest points of Liberty, with luster and light silvery-gray shades throughout. We
note the usual light hairlines, which are present on the surfaces of this and virtually every other silver coin of the era. Clean rims and fields for the grade. The raised rim area on the obverse near stars two through four is not a rim bump, but a
small rim cud which is seen on most of the late die state coins of this variety, and is frequently mislabeled a rim bump. This is a nice coin the collector who loves broken and cracked dies.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
Lot 1782
1799. Normal date, B-16, BB-158, R-2. URS-11. PCGS graded EF-45. Although the PCGS insert says "8X5 Stars" this clearly is not that variety, and someone simply used the wrong code
number when this coin was being encapsulated. Steel gray in color with slightly darker tones around the periphery. Sharply impressed by the dies, as are most 1799 dollars, and all the stars, clouds and devices are clear to view. A problem free
example that is perfect for a type collector.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
Lot 1783
1799. Normal date, B-7a, BB-156, Rarity-4, URS-10. EF-45. A scarce variety that is a bit tough to find this nice. Examination of the surfaces will note minor handling marks on both
sides, and the coin is a bit more scuffy than average. Cleaned and retoned, as seen on virtually all early silver coins. Toned with pleasant gold and blue shades, with darker areas around the periphery and some lighter patches on both sides.
Identifiable by a tiny rim tick above the R of LIBERTY and a hidden pin prick at the back of Liberty's eye. An intermediate die state with light reverse cracks through the lettering. An acceptable coin for this variety, in a good collector grade.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 1784
1799. 8 stars left, 5 right, B-23, BB-159, R-4, URS-11. NGC graded AU-50. The curious feature here is the 8 X 5 stars on the obverse, this arrangement was only used on this die to make
silver dollars. No other bust dollar die of any date employs this star arrangement. Perhaps the engraver had been working on an eagle die, or half eagle obverse die, both of which employed stars so arranged. Long listing in the Guide Book has
increased interest in the variety, and few have been found in high grades such as this. In particular we note that this coin has silvery-white luster in the fields, and delicate toning around the devices. On the reverse faint vertical adjustment
marks can be seen at the center. The rim is irregular above the T of LIBERTY, and this is likely where a tiny rim bump was filed off or a small planchet lamination resides, as the dentils are sunken at the rim. The surfaces show fine hairlines from
either circulation or a gentle cleaning, but make no bones about it, this is a highly appealing coin and one that is seldom found in About Uncirculated grades.
Estimated Value $2,800-3,500.
Lot 1785
1800, B-17a, BB-196, R-1, URS-11. PCGS graded AU-55. Bolender describes this coin as a Rarity-1, but it probably should be up a notch or two from that as they are not that plentiful.
Here is a very high grade example. The surfaces are steel gray in color and the coin retains luster in the fields after limited circulation and handling. Bust dollars are very hard to find in these high grades, PCGS has graded 26 in AU-55, with 17
graded AU-58 above, and only 9 coins in various mint state grades of the date. When it comes to varieties, very few of any given die pairing are found in high grades. Over the past few years, the coin market has begun to recognize and appreciate the
true rarity of these early dollars and has started to price the accordingly.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
Lot 1786
1800 B-16, BB-187, R-2, URS-11. PCGS graded AU-55. Toned with deep shades of gunmetal gray with hints of steel blue. Well struck by the dies with no signs of weakness anywhere to be
found. Liberty's curls are especially well defined, and only a touch of wear can be seen. There is a faint die crack through the last 0 of the date up to Liberty's chin curling over to the tenth star. Minor hairlines can be seen in the fields, but
they are toned over and scarcely visible. Only 26 in this grade category, and not many graded higher as noted herein.
Estimated Value $4,000-6,000.
Ex Kevin Anderson collection.
Lot 1787
1800. B-8, BB-188, URS-9, Rarity-4. ICG graded VF-35. A scarce variety and this coin is probably in the top 20 known. Toned deep gray color, and we note a dull hidden scratch below
Liberty's throat, and another on her cheek, as well as some faint marks before her face and above in the field. We note a minor die crack through AMERI and above CA, as usual for the variety. In an ICG holder which incorrectly identifies this as a
"B-5, BB-189".
Estimated Value $1,250-2,000.
Lot 1788
1800. Dotted date, B-14, BB-194, R-3, URS-11. PCGS graded AU-50. This one has vivid blues and golds in somewhat mottled formations on both sides. The dotted date variety came about as
the die steel apparently had bubbles in it around the date area, and as coins were struck the bubbles sank, taking the surface of the die with them, and causing the raised dots around the date and other areas of the coin. Examination will note some
hairlines on the surfaces, and this one should be inspected carefully as the colors are pretty unusual.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,500.
Lot 1789
1800. Only 10 arrows, B-15, BB-195, URS-10, Rarity-4. NGC graded AU-50. Rare in this grade, this variety is seldom found in high grades, and just a couple are known in about
uncirculated, with none known in full mint state. Frosty mint luster on both sides, with a delicate golden tone which enhances the devices. A decent strike for this variety, which is usually found weak on Liberty's hair. A couple of very trivial rim
ticks are noted for accuracy, on either side of the first A of AMERICA. Struck from a clashed reverse die, with the outline of Liberty's bust through OF, as seen on most. One other minor tick mark is noted on the left side of the eagle's breast. A
rarity in this grade and well worth a premium for this scarce variety.
Estimated Value $3,500-5,500.
Lot 1790
1801 B-1a, BB-211, R-4, URS-11. PCGS graded AU-58 Flannagan. One of the finest graded of the date, PCGS in their Population Report notes just 6 graded this high, with 2 graded higher
(both MS-62). The surfaces are resplendent in their beauty, deep golden toning surrounds and enhances the devices. Liberty herself is bathed in silvery gray, and the periphery is slightly darker shades of gold. Perfectly matched and balanced on the
reverse. For the date, the strike is pretty good, with separation on Liberty's high curls. Most of the original luster is present and this coin is highly appealing to the eye and will no doubt bring a strong price as such. This is the usual die
state with the crack down through STA to the clouds, and out the first A in AMERICA. An opportunity to put away a truly rare and barely appreciated date. Identifiable by a tiny dig on the second S of STATES at the top.
Estimated Value
$8,000-12,000.
From the Flannagan collection.
Lot 1791
1801. B-1, BB-211, URS-11, Rarity-3. ANACS graded AU-50. This is a rare later die state coin that is very scarce in high grade. The reverse die shows a sharp die crack through down
through STA of STATES, into the clouds, eagle's wing and AM. Another faint crack is present along the left wing top feather, first cloud, star below, three center row stars above the eagle's head, and fourth star near the cloud where it ends in the
cloud above. Another feature which is very unusual are the dentils clashed through the letters MERICA from the obverse die. While not the terminal state of the dies with the heavy swelling through AME, this is later than most found. Frosty luster
throughout with bright gold toning on the obverse and reverse, fading to reddish hues at the rims. Minor hairlines from circulation but no marks worthy of note. An excellent coin for the advanced collector.
Estimated Value $3,000-5,000.
Lot 1792
1801 B-1, BB-211, R-4, URS-11. VF-20. Steel gray and natural in appearance. The obverse is clean for the grade, and on the reverse we note a small rim tick below the U of UNITED,
another past the D, and a bump between the right wing and the first A of AMERICA. On the right wing there is some roughness, probably from a rubber band exposure. Die crack on the reverse through STATES into the clouds below.
Estimated Value
$800-1,000.
Lot 1793
1801, B-3, BB-256, R-3. Sharpness of VG-8 but holed and plugged. This one has been holed and plugged through the R of LIBERTY, with the repair not all that skilled as such things go.
The coin has been cleaned and retoned, and has the surfaces of a jewelry coin, with moderate handling marks on both sides.
Estimated Value $200-UP.
Lot 1794
1802. 2 over 1, narrow date, B-1, BB-231, URS-8, Rarity-4. ANACS graded EF-40. A rare coin in this grade and a variety that is seldom offered at all. Toned a medium gray in color, with
hints of blue around the periphery of both sides. Typical handling marks, with some small rough areas hidden in Liberty's hair. We note that the rims and fields are generally well preserved, and no adjustment marks are present.
During 1801,
several obverse dies were prepared and dated, and apparently not used. When 1802 rolled around, 5 different obverse dies were repunched with a 2 over the final 1. These five different obverses were paired with two different reverse dies to create
five varieties of overdates (Bolender 1, 2, 3, 4 and 9 and Bowers-Borckardt 231, 232, 233, 234 and 235). In terms of rarity, only the B-9 or BB-235 commands a big premium, while the rare B-1 and B-2 (BB-231 and 233) are finally starting to be
recognized as rarities in their own rights. This particular coin is tied for fourth finest in the recent Bust Dollar survey, published by the John Reich Collector's Society in their Journal. We note that this coin is conservatively graded, and
buyers would do well to make up their own mind about the grade (as always).
Identifiable by a tiny pit at the top of the 1 in the date, and a minor tick at the center of the same digit, and a tiny dig just right of the upper loop of the B in
LIBERTY. In the extensive auction survey done in the Bowers Borckardt book, only 39 auction appearances of this variety were noted from a survey of 701 auction sales through 1992.
Estimated Value $1,750-2,500.
Lot 1795
1802. 2 over 1, wide date, B-2, BB-233, URS-8, Rarity-4. ANACS graded EF-40. Well struck, even at the centers, and without a significant problem. A glass will note trivial cleaning
hairlines, but nothing out of the ordinary here. Nice surfaces and rims, the only minor problem are some light planchet irregularities on the obverse, mostly hidden in Liberty's hair and just above her head. Steel gray in color, with lighter gray
devices. Similar to the BB-231 or B-1 in this sale, both are scarce, and likely at the lower end of the Condition Census for the variety. Identifiable by a small horizontal nick at the base of Liberty's neck.
Estimated Value $1,750-2,500.
Lot 1796
1802. Narrow date, B-6, BB-241, R-1, URS-12. PCGS graded EF-40. Toned a medium steel gray and we note some stray surface marks, and a thin pin scratch through Liberty's nose extending
either direction, but a strong glass is needed to see it. Moderate ticks on both sides, and one of the most common varieties of all bust dollars.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,700.