| Description |
1799 $1 8x5 Stars MS61 NGC. B-23, BB-159, R.2. Ex: "Col." E.H.R. Green. This attractive Mint State specimen shows bright silver luster at the centers, with some design weakness behind the forehead and on the top edge of the wings. Both sides display splashes of original champagne toning with stunning peripheral iridescence on the obverse. Obverse Die. The obverse star arrangement is diagnostic. This is the only early dollar variety with the unusual, unbalanced 8x5 star layout, which is usually seen on contemporary gold coins. Reverse Die. On the reverse die, a point of the star touches the lower point of the eagle's beak. The star under cloud 1 is slightly smaller than the other reverse stars. The lower left of the first A in AMERICA touches the third leaf in the feathers of the eagle, and the lower part of the base of that A rests on the fourth feather. The first outside leaf points towards the left third of the C in AMERICA; the second outside leaf points towards the left upright of the I in AMERICA. A defective U appears in UNITED. The reverse die appears on five die marriages and one remarriage, used in order to strike 1799 B-16, BB-158; B-23, BB-159; B-16 BB-158 (a remarriage); B-12, BB-160; and B-11, BB-161. Die State. The Newman Mint State example is the usual die state for the variety, showing a delicate die crack down through the E and B of LIBERTY, but lacking the late-state die crack across the lower obverse. There is no observed deterioration of the reverse die during the life of the B-23 die marriage. Condition Census. Only four Mint State examples are recorded among Notable Specimens in the 2013 Encyclopedia. The finest example is the MS64 Brand-Boyd coin that was handled by Eric P. Newman's mentor, B.G. Johnson. The Newman specimen is tied with an MS61 NGC example in the Warren Miller Collection as the second finest known 1799 8x5 Stars dollar. Appearances. This specimen is illustrated as part of NGC's presentation of the Newman Collection at www.NGCCoin.com. Commentary. With a population estimated at more than 500 coins, the 1799 8x5 Stars dollar is relatively plentiful. However, its importance as a distinctive design type trumps the substantial population. In addition, the existence of only 4 Mint State examples adds considerably to its cachet. Provenance. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $50.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
Realized $41,125.00 . Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com. |
