Draped Bust Silver Dollar

1797 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. BB-73, B-1. Rarity-3. Stars 9x7, Large Letters. EF-45 (PCGS).

The deep slate-grey patina of this handsome piece reveals navy-blue highlights beneath a light source. Glossy to the naked eye despite a few ancient marks noted under a glass. Well centered and sharply struck, with traces of luster remaining. Bowers-Borckardt 73 is the sole die marriage associated with the Stars 9x7, Large Letters Guide Book variety of the 1797 silver dollar, and it is the median scarcity among the three known die pairings of the issue. Plentiful in an absolute sense, at least by early dollar standards, Q. David Bowers (2013) estimates that 1,300 to 2,100 BB-73 dollars are extant in all grades. Most grade no finer than VF, however. At and above the EF level the conditionally challenging nature of this die variety comes readily to the fore, the present example among the finest available to today's quality conscious numismatists.

PCGS# 6863.

From the Bimyway Collection.

Estimate: 7750