1799 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. BB-159, B-23. Rarity-4. Stars 8x5. AU-53 (PCGS). CAC.，One of the finer examples of this elusive die pairing with perfect pewter-gray patina over lustrous fields and frosty devices. The strike is sharp throughout, and the surfaces are as nice as could be hoped for in a lightly circulated early dollar. No adjustment marks are present, and the eye appeal is quite strong. There is a single MS-64 in the <em>PCGS Population Report</em> at the top of the Census for the Stars 8x5 variety, then a few more that earn the About Uncirculated level. Unique to the entire Draped Bust dollar series is this peculiar star arrangement, for no other die has the stars arranged eight on the left and five on the right. This star arrangement was common on gold dies of this era, but not on silver coins. Consensus amongst experts is that this was a simple engraving blunder. Furthermore, the obverse die cracked early and these cracks progressed rapidly, eventually terminating the use of this die. Collected as one of the major types in the Draped Bust dollar series, and a difficult variety to find in grades of About Uncirculated or finer. If all the survivors from these dies could be gathered together, the present coin would certainly place within the top 20 known, and tied with about 10 at that level, if indeed that many exist.，PCGS# 6881. NGC ID: 24X7.，，From the Catherine Bullowa Moore Collection. Earlier from our sale of the Carl and Josephine Legacy Collection, November 2012, lot 3171.
