This beautiful Choice Mint State example ranks as the finest known 1802/1 BB-232 silver dollar. Lustrous surfaces exhibit a delightful satin finish and subtle semi-reflective tendencies. The strike is expertly centered within fully denticulated borders, and the devices are boldly to sharply defined in virtually all areas. This gorgeous condition rarity would serve as a centerpiece in the finest early dollar cabinet.The significance of this coin among 1802/1 silver dollars of the BB-232 variety was recognized as early as its offering in our (Stacks) sale of December 1984 as lot 1254, our description stating: "Wholly prooflike, it almost has the appearance of a Restrike....<strong>An incredible specimen and certainly one of the finest extant</strong>." Since that time no other example has come to light to challenge this coins standing as the finest known survivor of the BB-232 dies. (The 2013 reference The Encyclopedia of United States Silver Dollars: 1794-1804 by Q. David Bowers mistakenly lists two different examples of this variety in MS-63; plate matching confirms that they are the same coin, the example offered here.) A highlight of the impressive Cardinal Collection offerings in this sale, and a coin that will certainly elicit strong bids from early dollar specialists.