1798 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. Small Eagle. BB-81, B-2. Rarity-3. 15 Stars on Obverse. EF-40 (PCGS).We are fortunate to be able to offer two examples of this popular early dollar in EF-40. Handsome iridescent toning of gold and russet graces both sides, with the worn areas lighter silver as typically seen. The strike is reasonably bold on this example, with strong separation of Libertys curls and most of the eagles wing feathers present, the breast and thigh predictably smooth from wear. The BB-81 variety is one of just two Small Eagle varieties for 1798, representing the last issue of the type. The reverse die showed impressive stamina in the hands of the Mint workers, having been paired with six different obverses throughout employments in 1795, 1796, 1797, and, finally, 1798. In this marriage the reverse die was lapped, likely to remove clashing that occurred sometime in 1796 and, in the process, making the devices rather shallow. This marriage is also readily identifiable as the only 1798 silver dollar with 15 obverse stars. The obverse eventually failed when a severe die crack formed from beneath the final star towards Libertys jaw. Another interesting fact, the 8 punch used for the date is not seen on any other silver dollar dies, although it was used to engrave the two dies created for the 1798 ten-dollar gold pieces.
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