1795 $1 Draped Bust, Off-Center MS(PCGS#96858)

June 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2201

Grade

VF35

Price

6,600

Lot Description

A coin whose eye appeal and desirability benefit greatly from especially vivid secondary toning on the obverse. There is some light glossiness to the texture from old numismatic handling, as so often noted for these early dollars, but what one's eye is immediately drawn to is vivid peripheral colors in cobalt blue and pinkish-rose. The balance of the surfaces are more reserved, largely in silver-gray, and there is plenty of bold detail remaining to the major design elements. Two different die combinations were used for the 1795 Draped Bust dollar. The die pair believed to have been struck first is the so-called Off-Center Bust variety, BB-51, which features Liberty appearing too far to the left from the center, a position used only on this die pair. This positioning was corrected to a more aesthetically pleasing centered location on the second variety, the BB-52 pair. The edge in rarity goes to BB-52, although both varieties enjoy strong demand since the 1795 is the first year of issue for the brief Draped Bust, Small Eagle dollar design type.