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This lovely coin comes to us from a long term client, Mr. S., who has purchased from us
for decades, ever since he was a youth. This particular coin was acquired by him from our
own Dave Bowers at a New York City event in the 1950s, times that seem almost legendary in
retrospect. Mr. S. stated that he has never sold a coin from his collection, but to
commemorate the merger of American Numismatic Rarities into Stack's, he sent this piece
along for us to showcase. How sentimental! Classified by Harry Bass and John Dannreuther
as Variety 8, the present piece is fairly scarce in all grades, although not a rarity.
Twenty-nine different certification events have taken place at this level at PCGS, not at
all necessarily representing that many different coins, while there have been 20 certified
finer. Now to the coin itself: selected with great care, the specimen is exceptional in
its quality. There are no adjustment marks of any kind, and every detail is needle sharp
in its striking and definition. Both sides are light yellow gold, highly lustrous. The
overdate, as on all specimens of BD-8, is so bold that it can be seen without the use of
magnification. The present coin is ideal for a specialized collection as well as a
candidate to illustrate this design in a type set. Either way, it is our honor to pass
this coin along to another connoisseur, who, perhaps, will hold it for a half century and
consign it to us again!We highly comment the newly released (by Whitman Publishing
Company) book by John Dannreuther, incorporating research of the late Harry W. Bass, Jr.,
Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties 1795-1834. This magnificent volume is a tour de force
covering the title subject, completely wiping out any references that have gone before,
and adding the convenience of serving the information in a handy single volume. In his
day, Harry Bass, a fine friend, was a very careful observer. In later years his notes and
findings were found to be remarkably accurate, even in view of some later discoveries.
John Dannreuther is recognized today as a consummate numismatic researcher, one we often
call upon when seeking a particularly arcane piece of information. The volume covers in
detail, with large photographs, each and every type, date, and die variety from 1795 to
1834, plus information on die states and progressions (the development of cracks, lapping,
and more). While very few people will ever collect gold quarter eagles, half eagles, and
eagles by die varieties for the span indicated, many will have the opportunity to own a
single coin, as offered in this lot, or a group of coins. With even a single piece the
Bass-Dannreuther text will add appreciation and dimension. We highly recommend it as
essential to any basic numismatic library. Copies are available from our Publications
Department.
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