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1796 $1 Small Date, Large Letters. B-4, BB-61, R.2. MS61 NGC. Small, wide date, 96 close, die dot above 1; Berry under first T in STATES. Reiver die state a. Bowers-Borckardt die state I. The Reiver plate coin for the variety both obverse and reverse. An outstanding Uncirculated example of the Draped Bust, Small Eagle silver dollar, and one of just a handful that survived in this lofty grade. The surfaces are frosty and show unbroken luster in the fields and on most of the devices. Liberty's curls show strong separation on all but a couple of the highest and finest hair strands, which are weak. Most of the breast feathers are sharp on the eagle too, as well as the finer definition on the wing feathers. There are some crossing adjustment marks on the reverse, primarily on the eagle (where they were not quite struck over by the dies), and along the rims. These adjustment marks are fairly light and not distracting to the unaided eye, but can clearly be seen with a loupe. No rim problems or surface disturbances, and this is coin is a delight to view.

From a die state perspective, this coin was struck very early in the life of the obverse and reverse die. Note that the curl on Liberty's head is sharp and complete and shows no sign of lapping of the die. Similarly, the lower curl nestled between the first two stars is sharp, and this curl is often lapped away to some degree, particularly on this die variety. The die dot over the 1 in the date is very sharp, and this may have been caused by a mispunched 1 or was simply a small defect in the die similar to the lump on the reverse of the B-5, BB-65 variety.

There are fewer than a dozen coins of this date which are the equal or finer than the present example, as virtually every coin struck entered circulation and stayed there are least for a brief time. More importantly, the Small Date, Large Letters variety seen here is inexplicably hard to find in uncirculated grades. Most of the surviving 1796 silver dollars in uncirculated gra (PCGS# 6860)
Auction 390 | Lot: 23487 | Jan 28, 2006

Sold For: $172,500.00
Rick Leonardi and Jack Abel The Vision and The Scarlet Witch #1 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1982).
Auction 7283 | Lot: 97256 | Nov 20, 2022

Sold For: $55,200.00
Marc Silvestri and Terry Austin Inferno/Hell On Earth House Ad Illustration Original Art (Marvel, 1988).
Auction 7274 | Lot: 97243 | Jun 19, 2022

Sold For: $55,200.00
Mike Mignola Hellboy: The Corpse and the Iron Shoes #nn Cover Original Art and Color Art (Dark Horse, 1996).
Auction 7246 | Lot: 97308 | Sep 12, 2021

Sold For: $55,200.00
Amazing Fantasy #15 (Marvel, 1962) CGC VG+ 4.5 Off-white to white pages.
Auction 7248 | Lot: 97193 | Nov 21, 2021

Sold For: $54,000.00
1839 50C Small Letters--Improperly Cleaned--NCS. AU Details. JR-1, R.7. The talons curve are tightly curved, and lines 2 and 3 of stripe 1 extend to the 3rd crossbar, others to the 2nd. In his Variety Identification Manual for U.S. Reeded Edge Half Dollars, Reiver indicates that "this may be the same reverse die used on Pattern Judd 95." Judd 95 is the famous backwards Liberty, with a crowned head of Liberty facing to the right. Judging from illustrations, the reverse appears to be either the same die, or at least a die from the same hub. Examination of both issues, side-by-side, would probably be necessary to make an exact determination. This specimen displays semi-bright bluish-gray surfaces that are finely hairlined. A decent coin despite the cleaning.

This is an exceptional rarity among the Reeded Edge half dollars, and is one of few varieties listed individually in Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia. It is easily identified, not only for the different sized letters, but also there relative position, distant from the border. While there may be more examples known today in 2006, at the time his reference was published, Breen only knew of two or three examples. At the time, he specifically discussed three coins:

1. First Coinvestor's, Inc.; Julian Leidman. EF. The Discovery Coin.

2. Julian Leidman; Stanley Scott: 387; Harte: 2650; 1981 GENA: 1133; Kagin's 333rd Sale: 1686. VF, reverse rim dent.

3. Delaware private collection. EF. This is the specimen being offered here.

Walter Breen gave the credit for this discovery to Maurice Rosen, circa September 1972, although he suggested that Beistle may have seen the variety nearly half a century earlier. Currently, Steve Herrman has suggested that perhaps as many as five or six examples are known, but he has not further auction listings for any examples since the 1984 Kagin's sale.

Around 1980, Julian Leidman discovered the Reiver Collection specimen among coins that Jules al (PCGS# 6180)
Auction 390 | Lot: 23442 | Jan 28, 2006

Sold For: $48,875.00
1797 $1 9x7 Stars, Small Letters. B-2, BB-72, R.4. AU55 NGC. Nine stars left and seven right; Berry under A in STATES. Reiver die state a. Bowers-Borckardt die state I. The only die state seen. This is the Reiver plate coin for the obverse and reverse of this variety. A delightful coin for the specialist and certainly one of the very finest known of this elusive die pairing. Apparently the Finest Known of this variety is the lovely Col. Green; Eric Newman coin in Mint State which is plated in the Bowers-Borckardt Encyclopedia and second would be the Amon Carter coin. Perhaps a few others would be roughly tied with the present example, but certainly this is one of the finer examples to survive and would rank within the Condition Census for the variety. Bright silver in color, with a trace of gold or haze over portions of the surfaces. On the reverse we note a hint of roughness on the surfaces around UNITED and the wreath, but this may be as struck. Examination of the obverse will note a strong strike on Liberty, while the reverse is fairly well struck for this issue, which is notoriously weak on that side. Identifiable by a tiny dark speck below the post of the L in the field, and a small nick on Liberty's shoulder above the second 7 in the date. The reverse is identifiable by a couple of small ticks in the field between the left upper wing and the eagle's neck, and a few more nicks just below the ribbon knot.

For the specialist, this coin represents a rare opportunity to purchase this scarce variety in a very high grade. Few are found as high as Extremely Fine, and for most collectors a Fine or Very Fine coin is the best that can be obtained. To have a chance at this attractive Choice AU55 represents a welcome opportunity for any specialist, and this coin is truly an American work of art in silver.
Ex: Julian Leidman (2/18/1978). Envelope Included. (PCGS# 6866)
Auction 390 | Lot: 23494 | Jan 28, 2006

Sold For: $48,875.00
John Romita Jr. and Al Williamson Daredevil #261 Story Page 14 Original Art (Marvel, 1988).
Auction 7274 | Lot: 97205 | Jun 19, 2022

Sold For: $48,000.00

Make Offer to Owner
$72,000 or more
Simon Bisley Lobo's Back #1 Cover Original Art (DC, 1992).
Auction 7283 | Lot: 97039 | Nov 20, 2022

Sold For: $45,600.00
Neal Adams Flash #219 Green Lantern Story Page 2 Black Canary Original Art (DC, 1972).
Auction 7274 | Lot: 97004 | Jun 19, 2022

Sold For: $45,600.00
Jim Lee and Scott Williams Batman #614 "Hush" Joker Page 9 Original Art (DC, 2003).
Auction 7274 | Lot: 97167 | Jun 19, 2022

Sold For: $45,600.00
1803 $1 Small 3. B-1, BB-251, R.3. AU58 NGC. Small 3, star 8 points to arm of Y below upper right serif; Outer arrow point below left upright of N. Reiver die state a. Bowers-Borckardt die state III.This is the Reiver plate coin for the variety and the cover coin for his book The United States Early Silver Dollars 1794 to 1803. The surfaces are reflective and bright, with a hint of peripheral gold on the obverse and reverse. We note some trivial adjustment marks on the reverse, at a small angle from vertical, primarily on the shield and star field above. The reverse fields are slightly rough, likely from die rust. Examination of the strike will note what a remarkable coin this is, all the stars on the right are needle sharp, while the stars on the left show minor softness at their centers only. Liberty's hair is boldly defined, with only a trace of friction on the uppermost curls. This coin is so extraordinary, that even the tiniest die polish lines remain on Liberty's bust and hair, in the form of tiny circles radiating out from the center point. A loupe will find some trivial handling marks and nicks, but this coin is so far and away better than virtually any other Bust dollar that we anticipate furious bidding when it finally crosses the block. One of the condition highlights of the Reiver collection, and a memorable coin indeed.
Later die state with the bisecting obverse die crack present from the left side of the 8 to the R.
Obtained by Jules Reiver in trade with a group of large cents he was purchasing in the mid 1960s, this particular coin was added in by the dealer as an afterthought to make the price more agreeable to Jules. Today, whatever was paid or traded would certainly look like a great bargain from the last century. Envelope Included. (PCGS# 6900)
Auction 390 | Lot: 23638 | Jan 28, 2006

Sold For: $43,125.00
George Wilson King Kong #nn Cover Painting Original Art (Gold Key, 1968).
Auction 7374 | Lot: 97432 | Jun 23, 2024

Sold For: $40,800.00
Jim Aparo Adventure Comics #449 Aquaman Cover Original Art (DC, 1977).
Auction 7283 | Lot: 97017 | Nov 20, 2022

Sold For: $40,800.00
Fantastic Four #1 (Marvel, 1961) CGC FN- 5.5 Off-white pages.
Auction 7248 | Lot: 97220 | Nov 21, 2021

Sold For: $40,800.00

Make Offer to Owner
$61,200 or more
The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC FN+ 6.5 Off-white to white pages.
Auction 7266 | Lot: 97282 | Jan 16, 2022

Sold For: $38,400.00

Make Offer to Owner
$57,600 or more
X-Men #1 Signature Series: Stan Lee (Marvel, 1963) CGC FN 6.0 Off-white pages.
Auction 7266 | Lot: 97352 | Jan 16, 2022

Sold For: $38,400.00

Make Offer to Owner
$57,600 or more
John Romita Jr. and Al Williamson Daredevil #261 Story Page 8 Original Art (Marvel, 1988).
Auction 7246 | Lot: 97374 | Sep 12, 2021

Sold For: $38,400.00
The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC Apparent NM 9.4 Moderate (P) Cream to off-white pages.
Auction 7244 | Lot: 97134 | Jun 19, 2021

Sold For: $38,400.00

Make Offer to Owner
$40,000 or more
1795 $1 Flowing Hair, Three Leaves. B-22, BB-29, R.8--Improperly Cleaned, Obverse Tooled, Double Struck--NCS. VF Details. Lowest curl sharply pointed to right; Six berries on each branch. Unique! This die combination employs the B-12 obverse with a new reverse die not seen on any other variety. The new reverse has six berries on each branch, and three leaves below the eagle's wings. This is the Reiver plate coin for the obverse and reverse of his book. Double struck on both sides, with the doubling most visible on Liberty's truncation and chest on the obverse, but more clearly doubled on the reverse at the top of the wreath where the uppermost leaves are seen dramatically doubled in the field below the ES of STATES. Several letters show evidence of being doubled, and a few of the dentils as well. Most of the reverse lettering is strongly drawn toward the rim with the posts of the letters strongly raised (Bolender's "bifurcation"). There is a curious curved mark on the middle of Liberty's nose, and this may be related to the double striking (her nostrils?) or be some post minting nick, either way, this is a good pedigree marker.

In terms of the tooling, it resides in the right obverse field from before Liberty's face down to her neck and chest where scratches or something similar was buffed off the coin. As such things go, the tooling is well done and not as offensive as frequently encountered. Toned a lovely medium steel-gray, the coin has probably acquired this color over a long number of years. A rim mark has been carelessly scratched off near the third star on the obverse. The all important reverse (this being the only coin known to show this reverse die) is mercifully unblemished, and shows minimal wear and most of that relegated to the right wing of the eagle. We do note the left wing has a long die scratch hidden within the wing feathers running in an approximate line from the E of UNITED (starting on the third wing feather from the left) to the eagle's neck th (PCGS# 6852)
Auction 390 | Lot: 23482 | Jan 28, 2006

Sold For: $37,375.00
1908-D $20 No Motto MS65+ PCGS. CAC. (PCGS# 9143)
Auction 1380 | Lot: 5984 | Jan 19, 2025

Sold For: $34,800.00
Fantastic Four #1 (Marvel, 1961) CGC VG/FN 5.0 Off-white to white pages.
Auction 7248 | Lot: 97221 | Nov 21, 2021

Sold For: $34,800.00
Arthur Adams "Waiting For The Prince" Illustration Original Art (1984).
Auction 7374 | Lot: 97001 | Jun 23, 2024

Sold For: $33,600.00

Make Offer to Owner
$50,400 or more
Alex Raymond Flash Gordon Sunday Comic Strip Original Art dated 1-24-1938 (King Features Syndicate, 1938).
Auction 7283 | Lot: 97344 | Nov 20, 2022

Sold For: $33,600.00
Bill Sienkiewicz Elektra: Assassin #8 Splash Page 10 Original Art (Marvel, 1987).
Auction 7246 | Lot: 97405 | Sep 12, 2021

Sold For: $33,600.00

Make Offer to Owner
$50,400 or more
1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim, MS64 PCGS. (PCGS# 9136)
Auction 1380 | Lot: 5968 | Jan 19, 2025

Sold For: $32,400.00
1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim, MS64 PCGS. (PCGS# 9136)
Auction 1380 | Lot: 5969 | Jan 19, 2025

Sold For: $32,400.00
1907 $20 High Relief PR62 NGC. (PCGS# 908549)
Auction 1380 | Lot: 5970 | Jan 19, 2025

Sold For: $32,400.00
1907 $20 High Relief, Wire Rim, MS64 NGC. (PCGS# 9135)
Auction 1380 | Lot: 5964 | Jan 19, 2025

Sold For: $31,200.00
1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim, MS63 PCGS. CAC. (PCGS# 9136)
Auction 1380 | Lot: 5967 | Jan 19, 2025

Sold For: $31,200.00

Make Offer to Owner
$46,800 or more
Barry Smith "The Maker of Days" Illustration Original Art (1982).
Auction 7283 | Lot: 97433 | Nov 20, 2022

Sold For: $31,200.00

Make Offer to Owner
$46,800 or more
H. G. Peter Wonder Woman #31 Unpublished Story Page 4-B Original Art (DC, 1948).
Auction 7274 | Lot: 97187 | Jun 19, 2022

Sold For: $31,200.00
X-Men #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC FN 6.0 Off-white to white pages.
Auction 7248 | Lot: 97281 | Nov 21, 2021

Sold For: $30,001.20
1795 $1 Flowing Hair, Two Leaves. B-4, BB-14, R.3. AU55 NGC. Star 15 completely below bust point; Outside berry midway between ST. Reiver die state a. Bowers-Borckardt die state I. This is the Reiver plate coin for the obverse and reverse of this variety. An exceptional example of this die variety that boasts bright silver surfaces and ample luster to please the eye. The surfaces are very clean for the grade, and there are no field marks or rim bumps. Close examination with a loupe will find some faint adjustment marks on the reverse, located on the rim near ED and these few lines appear again near the eagle's claws. Perfectly matched in color and surface quality on the obverse and reverse, and one of the many Bust Dollar highlights of the Reiver collection.

Of all the 1795 Flowing Hair varieties, this particular one shows some of the strongest hair detail on Liberty and shows most of the feathers on the eagle, at least on high grade coins as seen here. Although not a scarce variety, this B-4, BB-14 die pairing shows up far less often than the common B-1, BB-21 or B-5, BB-27 issues. Rarely are Flowing Hair dollars found in high grade and with such attractive fields and devices. A couple of specimens are known with the silver plug of this variety, but that feature is rarely encountered on this die pairing.
Ex: Lester Merkin; Garry Fitzgerald (November, 1968). Envelope Included. (PCGS# 6853)
Auction 390 | Lot: 23467 | Jan 28, 2006

Sold For: $29,900.00
Frank Miller Marvel Team-Up Portfolio #1 Spider-Man and Daredevil Preliminary Illustration Original Art (S. Q. Productions, 1981).
Auction 7270 | Lot: 97479 | Apr 10, 2022

Sold For: $28,800.00
Karnov - Wata 9.2 A Sealed [Rev-A, Round SOQ], NES Data East 1988 USA.
Auction 7242 | Lot: 97070 | Apr 5, 2021

Sold For: $28,800.00
Rich Buckler and Frank Giacoia Champions #7 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1976).
Auction 7283 | Lot: 97054 | Nov 20, 2022

Sold For: $27,600.00
1796 $1 Small Date, Large Letters. B-6, BB-64, R.8--Damaged--NCS. XF Details. Small, wide date, evenly spaced; Berry under right foot of A in STATES. Reiver die state a. Bowers-Borckardt die state III. The obverse of this very rare coin has been damaged with several radial scratches which have been partially smoothed out and the obverse buffed down. A similar scratch has been smoothed on the reverse and this extends from the right wing of the eagle down his chest and out the rim near the U. A numismatic tragedy as this is one of only three specimens known of this variety. All three examples of this die variety show the same dramatic die crack on the reverse, where the right quarter of the coin is very sharply struck, while the left three quarters is much weaker in strike. The reverse die had split into two separate pieces with the right side being dramatically lower (hence the sharper strike), than the left side. Obviously, not many were coined and the reverse die was retired. Of all known die cracks in the Bust Dollar series, this may be the most dramatic and severe known, as no others show as much differentiation between the planes of the surface level of the fields. Several 1796 dies show rather dramatic failure (all coin series) and the die steel obtained for 1796 was apparently somewhat inferior. It is quite possible that a perfect die example exists, awaiting discovery. No evidence is seen as to why the die would crack in such a dramatic fashion. Perhaps the reverse die was not perfectly aligned with the obverse, which put all the striking pressure on the left side of the reverse, causing the die to crack into two separate planes, weakening the left side of the reverse while the right side of the reverse compensated by moving down to a lower plane.

While the surfaces are clearly damaged, particularly the obverse, one must be willing to accept such problem coins if examples of these rare varieties are to be obtained. In some cases, the only surviving example is damaged as (PCGS# 6860)
Auction 390 | Lot: 23490 | Jan 28, 2006

Sold For: $27,600.00
Lithuania: Republic brass Specimen Pattern 2 Litai 1938 SP62 PCGS,
Auction 3125 | Lot: 35476 | Aug 29, 2025

Sold For: $27,000.00

Make Offer to Owner
$40,500 or more
1797 $1 9x7 Stars, Large Letters B-1, BB-73, R.2. AU55 NGC. Nine stars left and seven right; Lowest left berry on inside of wreath. Reiver die state d. Bowers-Borckardt die state VI. The terminal die state for the obverse. Here is a great collector coin which boasts not only wonderful condition, but the obverse is covered with a network of die cracks. These die cracks are generally thin, but a loupe will find no less than eight separate cracks which curve over and around the obverse fields and devices. The reverse die also shows a few minor die cracks, but survived well enough to be later paired with the 1798 Thirteen Star obverse to make additional coins. Luster resides in the fields and the strike is reasonably sharp for this issue. The obverse fields show strong clash marks, but not the reverse. It is probable that the strong clashing also helped the obverse die to crack in so many places. Identifiable by a small pit on the top portion of Liberty's breast, and there is a small rim bruise at the base of the reverse. Toned with light silvery-gray with splashes of peripheral gold and rose hues. This is a very appealing coin that will delight most collectors with its many charms.
No pedigree information included. Envelope Included. (PCGS# 6863)
Auction 390 | Lot: 23492 | Jan 28, 2006

Sold For: $26,450.00
1879-CC $20 -- Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. Winter 1-A. (PCGS# 8989)
Auction 1380 | Lot: 5883 | Jan 19, 2025

Sold For: $26,400.00
1924-S $20 MS64 PCGS. (PCGS# 9179)
Auction 1380 | Lot: 6066 | Jan 19, 2025

Sold For: $26,400.00
Paul Smith and Bob Wiacek The Uncanny X-Men #165 Story Page 3 Original Art (Marvel, 1983).
Auction 7283 | Lot: 97434 | Nov 20, 2022

Sold For: $26,400.00
Steve Lightle Classic X-Men #41 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1989).
Auction 7246 | Lot: 97289 | Sep 12, 2021

Sold For: $26,400.00
Michael Turner and Joe Weems Tomb Raider / Witchblade #1 Cover Original Art (Top Cow, 1997).
Auction 7246 | Lot: 97446 | Sep 12, 2021

Sold For: $26,400.00

Make Offer to Owner
$39,600 or more
Action Comics #13 (DC, 1939) CGC FR/GD 1.5 Cream to off-white pages.
Auction 7244 | Lot: 97001 | Jun 19, 2021

Sold For: $26,400.00
Lithuania: Republic silver Specimen Pattern 2 Litai 1938 SP61 PCGS,
Auction 3125 | Lot: 35477 | Aug 29, 2025

Sold For: $25,200.00

Make Offer to Owner
$37,800 or more
1929 $5 -- Obverse Cleaned -- NGC Details. Unc. (PCGS# 8533)
Auction 1380 | Lot: 5690 | Jan 19, 2025

Sold For: $25,200.00

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