Lot 477
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, knob 9, B-6, BB-96, R-3, URS-10. ICG graded AU-50. Dark toning on both sides covers over any remaining luster. A middle to later die state with a crack left of the date. Scattered ticks, and a slightly scarcer variety.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.

Lot 478
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, large eagle, knob 9, B-7, BB-95, R-5, URS-8. Sharpness of EF-40 but retoned. A rare variety that is very hard to find this nice. This one has been retoned with mottled gray in the fields, and lighter devices. Sharply struck and better than we make it sound. Still within the condition census of the top half dozen known.
The only recent offering of this variety was the Finest Known example, PCGS AU-58, which recently sold for $18,500 in Heritage's recent April 2002 auction. Few are found, and this one is likely near the lower end of the Condition Census despite its past cleaning. Better struck than usually encountered.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,500.
Ex: Superior's Sale, 2/20/01:5600 to the San Marino Collection.

Lot 479
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, close date, B-8a, BB-125, R-2, URS-11. Shattered reverse die. PCGS graded AU-53. A rare and very high grade example of the terminal shattered reverse die state. Examination will note substantial luster on both sides and totally defect free surfaces. Unevenly struck, as are all of this die state, with the fifth and seventh stars very weak from die swelling, and similarly weak on the reverse at the same area on N and E of UNITED, as well as at the centers of the obverse and reverse. Probably tied for the second finest known of this variety and die state, behind the stunning Boy's Town Sale example, Superior Stamp & Coin Sale, 5/27/90:3877 PCGS MS-64.
This coin shows very little wear, but because of the uneven strike it is difficult to grade. Light silvery-gray in color with lovely sunset gold toning on both sides. This is a very appealing early dollar, in finding a high grade example of this terminal die state is very difficult. This is Bowers die state IV or later. An exceptional example for the specialist.
As the both dies show extensive cracks and die swelling, the fifth and seventh stars are always weakly struck. Jules Reiver, the noted Delaware specialist in the series has a collection of these where various stars are missing, with examples that show 12, 11, 10, 9 and 8 stars! One of the most interesting die progressions of the entire bust dollar series.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,500.
Purchased privately at the 1997 ANA show, at that time it was PCGS graded AU-55 from the San Marino Collection.

Lot 482
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, B-11, BB-111, R-3, URS-10. PCGS graded AU-50. One of the very finest known of this popular variety, this one ranks as tied for third finest known just a hair behind two graded as AU-53, and is tied with another in a famous east coast collection (raw AU-50). The surfaces show minimal handling and the coin is toned a medium steel to dark gray color. This is the very rare early die state, with just a trace of the die crack through Liberty's hair above her ear (see the other two examples of this variety in this sale). Identifiable by a small tick between the 17 in the date, and a similar tick just left of the upper ribbon end in the field. No trace of the crack through the thirteenth star on this specimen. Well struck and downright rare this nice!
The B-11, BB-111 is one of the most interesting die deteriorations in the early dollar series. This is a particularly early die state, before the heavy crack appears through the lower two points of the last star towards Liberty's throat. By the time this one was struck, the die had already started swelling in that area from the last star up towards Liberty's throat. Two small nicks will identify this coin, one between the 17 of the date, the other near her upper ribbon end in the field.
This particular coin is actually within the Condition census for the variety, barely behind the two finest reported as AU-53 each, and another AU-50 all seen in the JRCS September 2000 Bust dollar survey. Perhaps tied for third finest known, and important as such.
Estimated Value $3,000-5,000.
Ex: Steve Fischer 2/12/98 Long Beach coin show, to the San Marino Collection.

Lot 483
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, B-11a, BB-111, R-3, URS-10. PCGS graded VF-35. This is the rare middle die state of this popular die progression. The surfaces show moderate roughness, likely from the planchet preparation process although they may be from general circulation as well. Well struck by the dies, and toned with light gold in the protected areas over silvery gray fields. Problem free rims and no signs of adjustment marks.
Note the crack extends through the lower two points of the last star up to Liberty midway between her chin and neck. The die was lapped heavily to remove this crack and mounded area, and more coins were struck. The die immediately cracked again, this next and final time through the upper point of the final star through Liberty's mouth, continuing through her head into the field below the L of LIBERTY. As seen with the three examples of this die variety, a die crack can be removed from the die! This is Bowers die state IV. An important die state sequence, and this middle state seems to be the rarest of the three major die states.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,500.
Ex: Bowers & Merena's Sale, 11/19/94:4001 to the San Marino Collection.

Lot 484
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, B-11b, BB-111, R-3, URS-10. Terminal Die State VIII. PCGS graded VF-25. Bright and lustrous with a touch of gold and blue at the periphery. This terminal die state will warm the cockles of a true collectors heart, for the obverse die break is quite advanced, continuing from the rim through the upper right point of the last star, through the field and into Liberty's mouth, continuing up behind her eye, into her hair and out the back of her head into the field below the L of LIBERTY. This is the same die state as the magnificent Bowers plate coin, but a lower grade. The reverse die shows no cracks or clashing, and was used to produce two additional varieties after this die pairing. Problem free, but a bit on the bright side.
This final die state is quite scarce, and only a few have been seen over the years. Bolender listed three die states, W. Earl Spies expanded this to seven different die states, and these were offered in his magnificent sale by Stack's 12/74. Highly collectible in various die states, and a fascinating progression to study which ends in one of the heaviest obverse die cracks of the entire Bust dollar series. Bowers die state VIII.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,750.
Ex: Bowers and Merena's sale of 3/23/02:4015 to the San Marino Collection.

Lot 485
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, close date, B-12, BB-120, R-4, URS-9. PCGS graded EF-40. A scarce die variety in high grade. Ths coin boasts luster in the fields and lilac to gray toning on both sides, with lighter silver gray on the high points of the devices. Natural in appearance and quite pleasing overall. this is Bowers Die State II with the reverse crack through UNITED STA. Always weakly struck on the central reverse stars, as seen here. A very choice example for the grade.
The Condition census on this variety remains as noted in the Bowers Encyclopedia, finest is the Bowers Somerset 1992:1321 as AU-55 (the Bowers plate coin), next is Bowers Tuttle Sale, 1981:2980 as AU-50; next are two XF-45 coins, and then a small cluster including the present specimen as XF-40 all tied for the Fifth finest known.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,500.
Ex: J.J. Teaparty (Liz Coggan) at the ANA Show, 8/11/99 and from the San Marino Collection.

Lot 486
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, close date, 13 arrows, B-12, BB-120, R-4, URS-9. Terminal die state. PCGS graded VF-35. This is the latest die state seen of this obverse die. There is a die crack between the 79 of the date up towards Liberty, and another crack extends up into the left field just grazing the first star at the inner two points. The die has failed at the lower drapery on Liberty's shoulder, and this may be partially a weak strike as well. All cracks noted in Bowers die state V are present, including the reverse cracks. Weakly struck at the stars and clouds on the reverse as well. Regardless of the weak strike, there is some luster in the fields and lovely sea green toning in the lettering. Identifiable by a couple of horizontal marks in the field above and right of the eagle's head. This is a coin for the specialist because of the weak strike and complex die cracks and will no doubt provide hours of enjoyment and discussion with other Bust dollar enthusiasts.
Estimated Value $1,500-UP.
Ex: Eliot Durann, 6/93 privately Long Beach coin show for the San Marino Collection.

Lot 487
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, B-14, BB-122, R-3, URS-10. ICG graded EF-40. Dark gray in color with traces of deep gold near the lettering. There are adjustment marks on the obverse around the rims, and a couple in the hair. On the reverse we note an old stain on the tail and arrows.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,600.

Lot 488
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, B-15, BB-112, R-3, URS-10. PCGS graded EF-40. This is the scarce die state I, struck before the obverse die was lapped. Light silvery gray in color, with gold and iridescent toning at the rims with luster in the protected areas. Excellent surfaces for the moderate grade, and a coin which would be hard to best! Identifiable by a tiny planchet flaw near the rim above IT of UNITED. Apparently just below the top half dozen known. We note the reverse die is rotated about 20 degrees counter clockwise. Highly appealing, and a very rare early die state, Bowers die state I "may not exist". A coin for the specialist.
Bolender noted two die states for his B-15 variety, this is the early die state, and after the obverse clashed or developed minor cracks, the obverse die was heavily lapped, making the last star near Liberty's bust much smaller than the surrounding stars, and this later (lapped) die state is much more common. This one probably is tied or just misses the lower end of the top 6 coins in the condition census for the variety.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,500.
Ex: Steve Fischer on 2/12/98 Long Beach coin show and from the San Marino Collection.

Lot 490
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, 5 vertical stripes in shield, B-17, BB-101, R-5, URS-7. Extremely Rare Early Die State. PCGS graded VF-30. While certainly a scarce variety, B-17, BB-101 has long been rumored to exist in an early, unlapped die state. This came about from the Spies Sale, where the unlapped obverse die was reported, but not photographed and graded as VG. Breen noted this die state in his Encyclopedia with the reference to "only 1 known" (Spies) before the obverse die was reground, weakening the dentils on the left side and the first star.
The surfaces of this particular example are bright silver in color, with traces of toning on the obverse, and a pretty arc of toning on the reverse periphery in multicolored hues. The strike is weak on the right side obverse stars and on the lower right shield lines on the reverse as well, and this coin is the very definition of a "flat strike". It is interesting for the specialist to note that the die crack is present on rim above the I of AMERICA, so this coin was struck after the rare B-7 BB-95 die pairing. There is a tiny die crack connecting stars ten and eleven, and a few minor die lumps around the date. Clearly these minor imperfections did not warrant the severe die lapping that is seen on virtually all other known examples and why the obverse was lapped remains a mystery at this time. While not the finest technical grade, this is certainly the finest known of this extremely rare early die state, and may be one of just two to survive struck before the lapping process radically altered the obverse die.
Estimated Value $1,500-UP.
Ex: Bowers and Merena's Flanagan Sale, 11/30/01:4234 to the San Marino Collection.

Lot 492
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, B-19, BB-106, R-5, URS-8. PCGS graded EF-45. A choice example for the collector of this scarce variety. The surfaces are toned with light gray with some darker and colorful areas around the date and stars. On the reverse, the color is a bit darker but luster still shows through and areas of sea green and blue toning are present near and in the devices. Boldly struck despite the ever present vertical bisecting die break. Probably in the Condition Census, behind the mint state Superior 9/87:2299 coin, and at least two more certified as AU. The present example has enough eye appeal and luster to perhaps qualify at that level as well. Quickly identifiable by the "V" at the top of Liberty's head (look below the E of LIBERTY) with the die break on the left side, with the largest curl on Liberty's head making up the right portion. Using the "V" quick attribution can identify this variety at arms length, a handy trick at coin shows where any time saving trick is helpful. Identifiable by a tiny planchet flaw in the upper E of STATES.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,500.
Ex: John J. Haugh 9/25/98 at the Long Beach coin show and from the San Marino Collection.

Lot 493
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, B-20b, BB-102, R-5, URS-8. PCGS graded EF-40. A very rare coin in high grades, and this one seems very conservatively graded in our opinion. When purchased it resided in an ANACS AU-50 holder. Toned with medium to dark gray hues, with strong curl separation on Liberty nd problem free surfaces. This is a very late die state with the reverse cud noted below the eagle's tail. We note some very minor planchet streaks at the top of the obverse.
Estimated Value $2,500-UP.
Ex: Steve Fischer 9/98 as ANACS AU-50 to the San Marino Collection.

Lot 495
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, B-23, BB-105, R-3, URS-11. PCGS graded AU-55. A deeply toned example of this relatively common variety, the centers are a lilac gray, with rich iridescent blues and golds around the periphery over luster. The reverse is well matched, but shows more reddish gold in color. Boldly struck throughout, and well preserved. Identifiable by a thin line from Liberty's head to the upper serif of the B, and on the reverse by a small void by the shield just below the first two right feather ends on the wing. Rare this nice, with perhaps half a dozen mint state coins at the top of the census, and several other contenders in AU grades just below.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.

Lot 496
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, wide date, 13 arrows, B-23, BB-105, R-3, URS-11. PCGS graded EF-40. Medium steel gray in color and quite nice for the grade. No adjustment marks or rim bumps whatsoever. Fully struck and well preserved for this variety. Identifiable by a thin scratch to the rim from the seventh star, and a small dig mid field over Liberty's chest. One of the more common 1798 varieties.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,500.
Ex: Sheridan Downey on 8/5/98 at the Portland, Oregon ANA Show and from the San Marino Collection.

Lot 498
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, B-29, BB-119, R-4, URS-9. PCGS graded EF-40. A scarce variety that is hard to find in high grades. This particular example is choice for the grade, and as we know, the obverse was used to coin a total of seven different die varieties! The obverse die continued to be used despite the "smiley cracks" which started to appear on the first usage (B-27, BB-113) and was later paired with six more reverse dies, with the obverse cracking more with each usage. Well struck on most of the stars over the eagle on the reverse, and nice details on Liberty's curls. The obverse cracks are advanced and the stars are drawn towards the dentils slightly. Identifiable by a small nick just below the inside point of the twelfth star on the obverse.
This is the final use of this obverse die, it had laid to rest 6 reverse mates, outlasting them all despite the obverse die cracks from just below the date. Finally, the obverse die cracked so badly it was replaced, and the reverse die was used again to produce the B-12, BB-120 variety next. On the B-29, BB-119 pairing, the obverse is badly cracked, with the obverse smiley breaks extending up to the lowest ribbon point, another crack has formed through the left stars curling around below the L of LIBERTY.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,500.
Ex: Steve Fischer 10/30/98 at the Long Beach coin show and from the San Marino Collection.

Lot 499
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, B-30, BB-116, R-5, URS-9. PCGS graded EF-45. Mottled dark gray tones around the periphery, lighter silver at the centers. Well struck with complete hair details on Liberty's upper curls, and the reverse is sharp as well, despite the very late die state. There is a very curious oval die break on the right wing of the eagle, and a heavy break at the first A of AMERICA. These breaks soon ended the reverse dies life, and yet another new reverse die was paired with this smiley break obverse. Tied at the lower end of the Condition Census for the variety as follows: 58, 58, 50, 45 multiples.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
Ex: Jonathan Kern 7/27/93 Baltimore ANA, to the San Marino Collection.

Lot 500
1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, B-31a, BB-115, R-5, URS-9. PCGS graded AU-53. Certainly a condition census example and apparently well up in the top six of the variety known. This one boasts quite a bit of luster in the fields, and the surfaces are much better than usually encountered on an early dollar. Toned with light golden hues over luster, and satiny gray silver throughout. Liberty retains full separation on her curls, and this coin must have barely circulated. Struck from the obverse die with the "smiley cracks", this long lasting obverse was paired with seven different reverse dies, and all but the first pairing show the smiley cracks on the lower obverse. Toned with frosty sunset gold hues on both sides. Weakly struck on the reverse stars, as always encountered from this later die state (Bowers die state IV, Bolender-31a). An impressive example of this variety. Early die states are much scarcer than this later die state, but I'll take a shattered die over unbroken dies any day! Most seen are Bowers die state IV.
Bolender considered this variety a rarity-7 (4 to 12 known) when he wrote his The United States Early Silver Dollars 1794 to 1803. Capt. Haseltine (1881) hadn't found an example of this pairing when his Type Table was published, and Bolender assumed it was a very rare variety. Years of beating the bushes have reduced the rarity to approximately R-5 (31-75) today. Bowers estimates are even higher. The condition census for this variety is as follows: 1). ICG AU-58 East Coast Collection. 2). AU-57 East Coast Collection. 3). PCGS AU-53, the present specimen. 4). AU-50 reported JRCS Early Dollar Census, 9/2000. 5). AU-50 Hollinbeck/Kagin 6/70:617 likely one of the above. 6). XF-45 East Coast Collection. 7-12). XF-45 others, DeCoppet, Baldenhofer, Ostheimer, Higgins, Willasch each as EF-45.
Estimated Value $4,500-6,500.
Ex: Superior Stamp & Coin Chalkley Sale, 1/29/90:2851 and from the San Marino Collection.