1798 $1 BB-124 MS(PCGS#40041)

December 2025 Showcase Auction - The James A. Stack, Sr. Collection Part I

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

22084

Grade

MS64

Price

78,000

Lot Description

BB Die State IV (or later). An aesthetically exceptional early dollar! The extreme peripheries show nearly unbroken halos of bright cobalt blue iridescence with hints of gold and violet, while the centers are more difficult to define, showing large circular areas of mottled gold and copper tones that are a treat to examine. Strong cartwheel luster graces both sides. The strike is exceptionally strong at the obverse periphery, but there is minor central weakness, with some flatness also seen at the juncture of drapery and bust. The reverse shows good detail to most features, though the eagle's head and breast feathers and the right side of the star cluster above show weakness. Some marks are still present from pre-striking in the right side of the star cluster, and a few tiny marks are also visible on Liberty's neck and bust. The visual appeal is superb and, when combined with the outstanding quality, helps to propel this coin to the very top of the list of "Notable Specimens" for the BB-124 dies in the 2013 edition of Q. David Bowers' reference <em>The Encyclopedia of United States Silver Dollars: 1794-1804</em>. It is also the CC#1 coin and only MS-64 for the variety recorded in the Winter 2024 revision to Stephen J. Herrman's AMBPR for early silver dollars. The finest and most beautiful example from these dies available to today's discerning numismatists, this coin will surely see spirited bidding before selling for a strong price.<p>BB-124 represents one of several 1798 varieties displaying a more widely spaced Pointed 9 obverse date format. On the obverse, the date features a numeral 9 ending in a pointed tail; otherwise, the date is of normal appearance, with no individual numerals noticeably out of place or touching the bust. The reverse displays the new Heraldic Eagle design, with the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA rendered in the small lettering font. On these reverses, the small lettering font is most noticeable in the appearance of the letter As, seen with a smaller upper opening and a distinctly pointed top. This specific reverse also features stars arranged in straight lines, but placed too high, earning BB-124 the nickname "blundered stars" variety.