Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars of the United States - A Complete Encyclopedia
Q. David Bowers
1800. BB-195.
(B-15. H-15.)
• OBVERSE 11: Star 13 very close to bust a point barely escapes touching the junction of drapery with bosom. The 1 in date is very close to curl, but does not touch. Numerals 180 in date are close, and the last 0 more distant. Star is near L. Die dot between Rand T. The first star is very distant from hair, 4 mm. On the left, stars 3 and 4 are more widely spaced than are any others. On the right, stars 8-9 and 11-12 are closer together than are any other pairs. Often weakly struck on the hair.
Obverse die used to strike 1800 BB-195 only.
REVERSE J: Only 10 perfect arrows and 3 arrow heads without sticks. Numerous die flaws in TES and especially between last S of STATES and 0 enable quick identification. A does not touch feathers. AME join at base, the left base of M high and overlapping A. Star very close but does not quite touch eagle's beak. A over clouds 2 (part of left foot of A) and 3 (mainly). Tip of arrowhead under right side of right upright of U in UNITED.
Reverse die used to strike 1800 BB-195 only.
• DIE STATES:
Die State I: Perfect dies. The obverse and (particularly) the reverse denticles are usually very long and well pronounced.
• AUCTION POPULATION SURVEY: Very Good: 6, Fine: 11, Very Fine: 16, Extremely Fine: 7, About Uncirculated: 4, Mint State-50 or better: 2. Total: 46. Average grade: VF-24.
COLLECTING NOTES: 1800 BB-195 is of medium scarcity. I believe that about 250 to 450 survive. Once again, most specimens are in lower grades through VF. At the EF level BB-195 becomes rare, and AU or finer coins are very rare.
• NOTABLE SPECIMENS:
Austin Specimen. AU-58. • Bowers and Ruddy Galleries, 1974: 37. 'Unc;, some evidence of rubbing. Very light iridescent toning."
Newport Specimen. AU-58 •• Bowers and Ruddy Galleries, 1975: 1047. "Unc., with some very light friction on the highest parts. Exceedingly well struck, and almost cameo-like in appearance."
Carter Specimen, AU-58 •• Stack's, Amon Carter.Jr. Collection, 1984: 229. "AU, just a whisper from full Mint State. Fully lustrous and nicely struck. A tiny concealed dig just below the lower ribbon."
Krugjohann Specimen. AU-55. • Bowers and Ruddy, 1976: 625. "AU with much mint lustre. Toned a lovely gun-metal gray. Sharply struck on a perfect planchet."
Chalkley Specimen. AU-50 .• Superior Galleries, Chalkley Collection, 1990: 2883. "AU-50. Sharply struck with bold dentils on the obverse and reverse; these serve to frame the bold design with admirable success. Ample lustre remains, gently dusted with golden hues. A clean planchet; no unsightly dark streaks." • Yolanda Gross Collection.
Willasch Specimen. AU-50 (PCGS) .• Superior Galleries, H.Roland Willasch Collection, 1990: 567. "AU-50 (PCGS). Deep gray toning throughout with some minor planchet streaks and spotting on the reverse. Faint lustre remains atop the lightly worn devices."
• POPULATION DISTRIBUTION:
Approximate population MS-65 or better: 0 (URS-0)
Approximate population MS-64: 0 (URS-0)
Approximate population MS-63: 0 (URS-0)
Approximate population MS-60 to 62: 2 to 4 (URS-2)
Approximate population AU-50 to 58: 5 to 10 (URS-4)
Approximate population VF-20 to EF-45: 150 to 265 (URS-9)
Approximate population G-4 to F-15: 100 to 175 (URS-8)
Approximate population for all grades com-bined: 250 to 450 (URS-10)
• CONDITION CENSUS: 60-60-55-55-50-50