1795 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. BB-51, B-14. Rarity-2. Off-Center Bust. AU-55 (PCGS).This handsome piece exhibits warm pewter and olive-gray patina on the obverse, lighter silver-olive throughout much of the reverse. More vivid undertones are evident on both sides as the coin dips into a light, especially on the reverse where bright cobalt blue iridescence outlines many of the design elements. Sharply to fully defined overall from a well executed, nicely centered strike, not even a concentration of light adjustment marks (as made) over the eagles legs and right wing have interfered with the detail in those areas to an appreciable extent.<p>Henry William DeSaussure had as part of his goals upon becoming Mint Director in June of 1795 to improve the appearance of the nations coins, especially the silver denominations. DeSaussure contracted with portrait artist Gilbert Stuart to prepare a depiction of Liberty which was then transferred into plaster models and punches by John Eckstein for Scot, as well as a set of improved versions of the Small Eagle reverse punches. While only a short-lived type lasting all of four years, the resulting Draped Bust, Small Eagle silver dollar is often heralded as a masterpiece from the early United States Mint. The Stuart/Eckstein Draped Bust was used for the rest of the series until coinage of silver dollars was suspended sometime in 1804. Of the two different die combinations used for the 1795 Draped Bust dollar, the BB-51 Off-Center Bust variety featuring Liberty appearing too far to the left from the center is believed to have been the first of the new dollars coined. The total struck is not quite known; while the official mintage figure cited is 42,738, this is thought to be a portion of the overall total for the 1795 Draped Bust dollar which may be closer to 100,000 coins of both varieties. The BB-51 is the more plentiful of the two die marriages with as many as 1,400 to 2,000 coins extant in all grades, though the lions share of these typically found at the VF level. Higher grade level specimens are much scarcer with appealing Choice AU pieces quite challenging to locate. With its strong technical quality and eye appeal, here is an ideal candidate for both an advanced type collection or in an advanced early dollar specialists cabinet.
