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1799 Draped Bust S$1. 8 stars left, 5 right NGC VF30

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:2,750.00 USD Estimated At:5,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
1799 Draped Bust S$1. 8 stars left, 5 right NGC VF30
BB-159. Only 5 stars to right of bust. The obverse stars are arranged eight to the left and five to the right; the only 1799 with this peculiar arrangement. The reason for this configuration is unknown. It may have been a blundered die, or the engraver may have accidentally punched the eight stars on the left after just having cut a die for a 1799 $10 gold coin (all of which have stars arranged 8x5 this year). He would then have been forced to complete the die using only five stars on the right. "Given the care taken to prepare dies at the Mint for dollar coinage this year, the 8x5 stars blunder is all the more remarkable," says Bowers in his encyclopedia on this series of coins. (#6881)<p><i>The Gonzaga Collection</i>