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1795 $1 B-1, BB-21, MS


Image Information

Type Coin
Title 1795 $1 B-1, BB-21, MS
Date 1795
Grade AU58
Service NGC
Service Catalog # 39986
Denomination S$1
Description

1795 $1 Flowing Hair, Two Leaves, B-1, BB-21, R.2, AU58 NGC. CAC. Bowers Die State 1. The entire output of the BB-21 die marriage was struck from perfect dies, where the only Mint-related anomaly is an underdigit 1 beneath the primary 7 in the date. Liberty's portrait is positioned high on the obverse -- higher than any other Two Leaves variety with the possible exception of the similar-but-rare BB-15 die pair, of which only five pieces are known. The BB-21 variety is far more available than that. Indeed, it is the "die pair of choice" for collectors wanting a Two Leaves Flowing Hair dollar for type. This is an exceptionally pleasing example, with smooth, semireflective surfaces and delicate iridescent toning at the margins. Shades of cherry-red and grayish-blue complement light, golden-gray centers. Surprisingly, this is just the second 1795 Flowing Hair dollar we have listed from the extensive Eric P. Newman Collection. The other was a stunning B-5, BB-27 coin graded MS65, which realized over $600,000 in our November 2014 Eric P. Newman offering, as the third finest-known of the Three Leaves reverse type. In comparison, the present coin lacks only the lofty Mint State grade while representing the Two Leaves type. The sum total of all certified Two Leaves dollars suggests that they are about half as prevalent as the Three Leaves coins among survivors in all grades. Much like the BB-27 dies, the BB-21 variety displays motifs that were deeply impressed into the dies. As such, they were susceptible to early wear on the high points (Liberty's hair strands and the eagle's breast). This BB-21 coin shows a touch of wear on the eagle's breast feathers, but Liberty's flowing hair remains sharply defined. A few tiny marks are visible with magnification, but there are no adjustment marks and the coin is beautifully centered on both sides. Mint luster glows from the recesses around crisply struck devices. The brown kraft envelope that once held this exceptional example indicates it was considered Uncirculated when in the "Colonel" E.H.R. Green holdings, as it was throughout its time in the Eric P. Newman Collection. The coin is now certified AU58 NGC. It is remarkable that any coins struck during the early days of "screws and rollers" at the U.S. Mint survive in Uncirculated or nearly Uncirculated state -- much less with the natural eye appeal and smooth, precisely made surfaces of this outstanding, borderline Uncirculated example. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $35.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15094, realized $54000. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

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Image Collection Eric P. Newman Collection, Part IX
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