2190

1797 S$1 10x6 Stars MS64 NGC. B-3, BB-71, R.2. The T. 1797[S$1] 10x6 Stars MS64 NGC.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:26,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1797 S$1 10x6 Stars MS64 NGC. B-3, BB-71, R.2. The T. 1797[S$1] 10x6 Stars MS64 NGC.
<B>1797<S$1> 10x6 Stars MS64 NGC.</B></I> B-3, BB-71, R.2. The T. James Clarke--Alfred and Jackie Ostheimer coin. A magnificent coin that is clearly one of the top half dozen known of this date, and currently one of the top 3 graded by PCGS and NGC. The color is a delight to behold, with glorious russet-gold over most of the obverse which is offset by delicate light blue with brighter gold near the rims. The reverse is a bit mottled with splashes of teal blue and russet through the devices over luster, with areas of natural silver-gray in the fields. The strike is a little weak at the centers, but the mint frost is complete over these areas. The weakness is noted on Liberty's central curls and on the eagle's breast and thigh, although the eagle's eye can be seen with a loupe. Throughout the fields of the obverse and reverse, this coin is bathed in mint luster, and this leads anyone to the inescapable conclusion that this coin never circulated and is truly extraordinary for a 1797 Bust dollar. Careful study of the surfaces discovers a number of tiny dark specks on the obverse, one located below the L of LIBERTY, and a small grouping near Liberty's bust close to the rim. Similar dark specks are found on the reverse, mostly above the eagle. No rim bumps, adjustment marks or similar detractions are seen, and a strong loupe will note few signs of handling on the surfaces of this magnificent coin.<BR> Specialist W. David Perkins researched this specimen of 1797 B-3 Dollar and sent us the following historical notes:<BR> Like the McCoy-Lee 1794 Dollar offered earlier, this specimen of 1797 B-3 was also acquired from Bolender and is ex. W. G. Baldenhofer collection. The Baldenhofer pedigree was not included when Breen cataloged this specimen for the September 18, 1968 Lester Merkin sale, Lot 243. The Ostheimers consigned this specimen to Merkin and asked that the Baldenhofer pedigree not be included.<BR> There were two 1797 B-3 Dollars listed in Uncirculated condition on the Bolender invoice of the Baldenhofer silver dollars! I believe this to be the first of the two listed, simply described as "Unc. / large date and letters." The cost to the Ostheimers was $315. Per the Ostheimer's copy of the September 18, 1968 sale catalog and notes laid in, the Ostheimers estimated that this lot would sell for $900. Their estimate proved to be "on the money" as the lot realized exactly $900.00. Interestingly, Lester Merkin charged a 20% Commission Rate on this lot per the auction settlement invoice. Thus the Ostheimers realized $720.00 after the commission was deducted from the price realized.<BR> I believe the other 1797 B-3 Dollar listed on the Bolender invoice is the specimen sold as Lot 843 in Superior Stamp and Coin Company's A.N.A. Auction Sale of August 1975. It was a later die state of 1797 B-3, considered as Rarity-6 (13-30 Known) at the time by Bolender and Baldenhofer, per the invoice. Per the inventory of the theft, this 1797 B-3 Dollar was part of a large number of early silver dollars stolen from the Ostheimers home in 1968. It was later recovered, along with all but two of the early dollars that were taken, the Ostheimers having paid a ransom for the return of the collection. Per the original sale invoice (also in my possession), this 1797 B-3 Dollar was sold privately to Larry Goldberg of Superior Stamp & Coin Co. on September 28, 1969 along with 111 other early silver dollars dated from 1795-1803.<BR> Our thanks to noted early dollar specialist W. David Perkins for the historical notes relevant to this coins pedigree.<BR><I>Ex: Morganthau-Macallister-Wayte Raymond; Elliott Smith; T. James Clarke Sale (New Netherlands 48th sale, November 1956), lot 620; Farish Baldenhofer; Milferd H. Bolender (1959, privately); Alfred and Jackie Ostheimer Collection (Lester Merkin, September 1968), lot 243; unknown intermediaries; Jack Lee.</B></I><BR><I>From The Jack Lee Collection, III</B></I>