I am hoping there are some draped bust dollar collectors out there who can comment on the die crack on the coin in the attached picture. This is a 1799 8x5 dollar (with 8 stars on the left and 5 stars on the right, variety BB-159, B-23). What makes this coin interesting is the die crack that goes through the middle of the bust (across the neck area). I have collected and looked at many of these draped bust dollars, and I have never seen a die crack like this. Perhaps some one has seen this before. Please comment as to whether or not this would enhance or detract from the coin in your view and certainly let me know if this has an assigned variety (aside from the BB-159, B-23 given to 1799 8x5 dollars). Thank you for looking and commenting! Curt
Ignoring the crack it does appear to match B-23, and it appears to be a late die state. I don't know if this variety is known for this crack in late states or not. A search on Heritage might be useful.
Although I don't have extensive experience in early dollars, in looking through the literature and past sales, your example appears to be an exceptionally late die tate of this die marriage (perhaps even the terminal die state). The only further classification beyond the die marriage identifiers (B-23, BB-159), would be the die states identified in the reference books on the subject. In the book by Jules Reiver, on page 74, the latest die state is Die State c, described as having "heavy cracks around and over bust". In the Bowers book on the subject, page 131, it would be at least die state III (the latest identified), though even this seems too early, mentioning only clash marks, a "crack from star 9 to border; [and] delicate, curved cracks in left obverse field [which] begin at star 4 and at star 7". As to the rarity of this die marriage in such an advanced state, the Heritage archives show only one coin of this die marriage, out of 85 sold, showing the arcing die crack across the bust: http://coins.ha.com/itm/early-dolla...s/a/1219-4774.s?ic4=ListView-Thumbnail-071515. The die crack is still not as advanced as yours. It should be noted that even though this coin is in what appears to be a rare die state, it sold for a price similar to those in the same grade range. This is presumably due to the scarcity of numismatists who collect Bust Dollar by die marriage, much less by die state. I found two other past sales with mention of such an extreme arcing crack. One is noted in the Bowers condition census, as follows: French Specimen. MS-60. Stack's, 1989: 226. "Brilliant Unc. Frosty and satiny, with iridescent and russet toning. The terminal state of the die, with an arc-like crack from star 1 across neck to below star 13, resulting in massive bulging of the die." The other, from the Dr. Hesselgesser Collection (one of the finest early dollar collections of all time) sold in a Goldberg sale (#65, lot 5086), described as Terminal Die State (perhaps a bit later than yours). Once again, it does not appear to have drawn much of a premium, selling for $2,990 in PCGS VF-30. In summation, my admittedly inexperienced opinion would be that the coin looks to be quite scarce with the large, arcing crack across the bust, though it does not seem that it would merit a large premium, if at all, neither detracting nor adding much in most bidders eyes. Some may prefer a perfect die state, while the avid Bust Dollar die state collector may prefer it in this near-terminal die state. I've added a link to the picture of the above mentioned Hesselgesser coin for your comparison. http://images.goldbergauctions.com/php/search1c.php?sale=65&item=185407
Wow, you really nailed it with this answer. I greatly appreciate the research you put into this with the reference coin pictures included and the nice education as well. From your answer, I learned a lot about late die states, and this was a very helpful explanation. To your point, I am always surprised by what little difference in price there is amongst these die varieties even though some of them are quite rare. I am very grateful for the time you put into this...thank you!
No problem at all, Curt. I'm very happy to help, especially when the question is within my area of focus. Plus, it is always a good learning exercise to do research on interesting coins like this. I think this is something that surprises many numismatists when they delve into die marriages and die states. While they are fascinating and sometimes very rare, the demand side of the equation is often lacking. An amusing quote that is commonly offered to people when discussing esoteric varieties, die states, etc. is "the only thing rarer than than a [Bust Dollar Die State] is a [Bust Dollar Die State] collector". The part in brackets can be substituted with many other highly specialized fields of study. Nevertheless, the intricacies of coinage can teach quite a bit when taken as a part of the larger picture and rarities abound for those with the knowledge and drive to collect them. Happy collecting! Jesse
That is a beautiful dollar! I love the dark gray fields and the silvery devices. Very eye appealing! Would you mind posting the reverse?
Hi...thank you. I uploaded both sides, so you can see them together. It is a nice coin...I thought the PCGS VF35 grade was a tad harsh as it might be an EF/XF coin to some. Thank you for your interest. I really appreciate Jesse's great explanation about the late die states of these coins (see earlier post)...Curt
