Q. David Bowers
1800. BB-182.
(B-2. H-2.)
• OBVERSE 2: Medium wide date, figures evenly spaced. Upper point of 8th star is very close to top right tip of Y. The R in LIBERTY is double-punched. On the left, stars 6 and 7 are more widely spaced than are any of the others. On the right, stars 11 and 12 are more closely spaced than are any of the others.
Obverse die used to strike 1800 BB-182, BB-183, and BB-184.
• REVERSE A: See description under 1800 BB-181.
Note: J.W. Haseltine was in error in describing this reverse as differing from No. 1. It is a crack in the die that "joins the A" to the fourth feather, and this crack continues to border. There is also a slight crack through OF to wing.
Reverse die used to strike 1800 BB-181 (earlier use) and BB-182 (later use).
• DIE STATES:
Die State I: Without reverse cracks. May not exist.
Die State II: Die crack joins the first A in AMERICA to the 4th. feather of the eagle, the crack continuing to the border. Hairline crack through OF to wing. The die state usually seen,
• AUCTlON·POPULATION SURVEY: Good: 2, Fine: 3, Very Fine: 4, Extremely Fine: 2. Total: 11. Average grade: F-19:
• COLLECTING NOTES: 1800 BB-182 is one of the great rarities of the year. Only an estimated 30 to 50 are known to exist. Years ago, the issue was regarded as unique. J.W. Haseltine knew of only one, and M.H. Bolender stated the same, noting that it may have been the Haseltine specimen that came under his view; Thus, when Bolender's book went to press in 1950, it was believed that there was just a single coin extant.
Since then, additional pieces have been recognized. BB-182 is not only remarkable for its rarity, but also for the fact that all known specimens show evidence of circulation. Among examples which have been reported, not a single piece makes the AU level. It appears that the finest grade is about EF40.
NOTABLE SPECIMENS:
French Specimen, EF-45+ .• Stack's, French Family Collection, 1989: 1019. "EF, nicely balanced and centered. Pale gray russet toning." ,
DeCoppet Specimen. VF-30. • Andre DeCoppet Collection, James F. Kelly, 1955 .• Stack's, Art Lovi Collection, 1968: 296. "Nearly EF; lustrous, lightly bag marked, sunset toned."
Chalkley Specimen. VF-30 •• Superior Galleries, Chalkley Collection, 1990: 2888 s , "VF-30. Even steel gray toning, uncleaned or damaged, just millimeters of pleasing surfaces scroll by when examined with a glass. Weakly struck on the right wing of eagle, probably due to the die state more than actual wear. The cracks on the reverse as mentioned by Bolender as present."
Willasch Specimen. VF-30. • Superior Galleries, H. Roland Willasch Collection, 1990: 555. "VF-30. Somber gray toning with hints of original frost peering out from the fields. Some minor rim marks, one on the obverse and a few tiny ones on the reverse are the only evidence of circulation 'aside from wear. Early die state on the obverse with only a few tiny die cracks on the reverse."
Ostheimer Specimen. VF-20. New Netherlands Coin Co. (September 1954) • K.P. Austin AJ. Ostheimer, 3rd Collection -. ' Superior Galleries, ANA Convention Sale, 1975: 971. "VF-20, well toned and tarnished. A flat strike, but clean with only two tiny obverse rim dents left and right of 11 th star."
Spies Specimen.VF-20 .• Stack's, W. Earl Spies Collection, 1974: 173. "The reverse of Bolender-1 with a break from the fourth feather to he first 'A' in AMERICA to the rim and another break branching out through OF. A nice VF, with a few minor reverse scratches,"
• POPULATION DISTRIBUTlON:
Approximate population MS-65 or better: 0 (URS-0)
Approximate population MS-64: 0 (URS·0)
Approximate population M-S-63: 0 (URS-0)
Approximate population M-S-60 to 62: 9 (URS-0)
Approximate population AU-50 to 58: to (URS-0)
Approximate population VF-20 to EF-45: 20 to 25 (URS-6)
Approximate population G-4 to F·15: 10 to 15 (URS-5)
Approximate population for all grades combined: 30 to 50 (URS-6)
CONDITION CENSUS: 40-40-35-30-30-25 (multiples)