1797 $1 BB-72 MS(PCGS#40005)

November 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2106

Grade

XF45

Price

26,400

Lot Description

Salyards Die State II. Offered is a Condition Census example of this prized die pairing in the Draped Bust, Small Eagle dollar series. It is an evenly toned piece in blended light mauve and olive-gray. The obverse is ideally centered with full border denticulation, the reverse impression is drawn to 1 o'clock with no border denticulation at upper right. Lightly struck in the centers, yet with plenty of bold detail remaining toward the peripheries. A dull, nearly horizontal mark in the right obverse field off Liberty's nose serves as a useful identifier for this significant piece.<p>Bowers Borckardt-72 is the rarest and most eagerly sought of the three known die marriages of the 1797 Draped Bust silver dollar. In fact, Q. David Bowers (<em>The Encyclopedia of United States Silver Dollars: 1794-1804</em>, 2013) states, "Without a doubt, it is the best known die variety of the 1796-7 years combined. Indeed, it may well be the most famous variety after 1794 and before 1804." Writing in his 2022 reference <em>Eagle Poised on a Bank of Clouds</em>, Harry E. Salyards accounts for just 90 to 160 survivors from an estimate mintage of 4,500, the latter included in the Mint's delivery of 25,500 dollars on February 16, 1798. Although not included therein, this piece qualifies for Condition Census for the 1797 BB-72 dies based on the Salyards listing, which includes coins that range in grade from MS-64 to EF-40.