Q. David Bowers
1800 Stars at side of LIBERTY evenly spaced, and first star far from lower hair. Rev. first star in upper row near wing. Deep milling. EF. $9.50.
1800 Same dies as last. VG. $2.10.
1800 Wide Date. Star far from L. Different dies to last. VF. $2.75.
1800 Even closer date. Different dies to last. Fine. $2.90. 1800 Star far from L. Break on reverse makes it appear AMERICAI. VF. Very rare dies. $3.00.
1800 Dotted 0 in date, due to small flakes out of the die. EF. Mint lustre. $5.25.
1801 Reverse leaf touches I. VF. Sharp impression. Rare in this superior condition. $12.00.
1801 Reverse leaf points to left of I, VF. Sharp impression. Rare in this preservation. $8.50.
1801 Reverse leaf under center of I; lower arrow head under middle of U. VG. $3.00.
1802/1 Star distant from Y. Rev. First leaf points to C. VG. $2.75.
1802/1 Star close to Y and points at right hand upper corner of that letter. Rev. First leaf points to I. VG. $2.20.
1802 Perfect Date. Unc. Sharp, even impression. Mint lustre. Perfection, and while I have seen several superb dollars of this year, yet I feel this is the finest specimen. A gem. $15.50.
1802 Same dies as last. EF. Sharp, beautiful impression. Mint lustre. $6.50.
1802 Same dies as last. Fine. $3.00.
1803 Large 3. Not perfectly centered. VF. $4.00. 1803 Same dies. VG. $2.25.
1803 Small 3. VF. $4.25.
1804 Original. ... 1 The present piece which Mr. Stickney received May 9, 1843 from the US. Mint at Philadelphia, it being a duplicate, in exchange for other coins one of which was an impression in gold of the 1785 Immune Columbia and which coin has remained to this day as the only example known. This 1804 dollar has never been out of Mr. Stickney's possession and so carefully guarded by him that few persons were ever even allowed to see it. He always considered the 1787 New York Brasher doubloon and this coin his greatest numismatic treasures. I compared it with the one in the Mint and it is exactly the same; the edges correspond even to the impression on the letters. Weight 415 grs., 307/1000, correct as the legal standard was 416 grains. A statement by Mr. T.L. Comparette, curator of the U.S. Mint Collection, that this dollar is exactly the same as the one in the Mint Cabinet accompanies it. As to its state of preservation it surpasses the one in the Mint, as it is a trifle finer impression, and the Mint specimen has several minute nicks above the head. At some time it has been wiped or kept possibly in a chamois bag and shows very faint hair marks, otherwise it is EF, brilliant and with a slight Proof surface. No other example of this great coin has such a clear pedigree as this-here it is obtained of the US. government in 1843 and never changed hands until this year 1907-64 years! The first publication of the 1804 dollar was 1842 when it was published by Messrs. Eckfeldt and DuBois, assayers at the Mint; in their Manual of Coins, and on one of the plates in that pioneer book on American coins, they placed the 1804 dollar; without any comment as to its rarity and evidently there shown as the finest specimen of the dollar in the Mint Collection, this was 15 years before the first counterfeit die! was made and its rarity was established. The illustration in that publication was made by the ruling engine and so it is exact, being made right from the coin. As to what it will sell for at this sale, no one knows but unlimited bids had better not be sent-place at least an approximate sum on your bid so your agent will know your wishes; suffice it to say that from all I have heard the past eight weeks, I feel confident it will pass any previous record for a U.S. coin! Every other 1804 dollar is out of the market-three alone being in museums and Mr. Dunham and Mr. Manning are not sellers and here is your last chance! In fine white morocco case. $3,600.00.
Lyman H. Low's sale of the Dudley R. Child Collection, February 25, 1908. As is the case with many silver dollar collections, even those of medium size and quality, it began with a specimen of the rare 1794.
1794 VG, with date strong; five light obverse edge nicks, with two on reverse. $80.00.
1795 Flowing Hair; two leaves below eagle's wings. Nearly Fine, slight suction marks of reverse design. $3.40.
1795 as last; three leaves. EF, rarely equaled. $6.50.
1795 Bust type. Fine; edge dent opposite second star 1. $2.90.
1796 Small Date. VG. $3.10.
1796 Large Date. About Fine. $3.80. 1797 Six Stars Facing. Fine. $4.10. 1797 Seven Stars Facing. VG. $3.80.
1798 Small Eagle, 13 Stars on obverse. VG. $3.80. 1798 Large Eagle, Eight high and near bust. VF. $2.60. 1799/8 Good. $2.05.
1799 Five Stars Facing. VG. $3.00.
1799 Six Stars Facing, stars widely spaced. EF, might fairly be graded Unc., with lightest nicks. $3.50.
1800 Without breaks through date. Fine. $2.75. 1800 Dies differing from last. VG. $2.50.
1801 VG. $2.00.
1802/1 About Fine. $2.60. 1802 Perfect Date. EF. $4.30. 1803 Small 3. VG. $2.50. 1803 Large 3. Fine. $2.80.
The Bristol, Church, and Bishop Collections sold by Thomas L. Elder, January 16,1909. Elder's 23rd public sale, this event included a sparse offering of early dollars. Elder, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, then for many years in New York City, was the successor to Ed. Frossard, in that he had a ready opinion on just about every subject brought to his attention. He fought a heated battle with numismatic entrepreneur and American Numismatic Association president Farran Zerbe, whom he considered to be a scoundrel of the lowest order; he railed against Henry Ford, William J. Bryan, and other pacifists who sought to keep America from involvement in the world war; and had a hundred and one other causes. It is said that at his auction sales, he would not hesitate to castigate a bidder publicly if an earlier bill had not been paid, or if he recalled a difference of opinion or problem.
However, Elder left a rich legacy of auction catalogues, which included many important rarities and collections. Further, he was one of the relatively few leading dealers who devoted a generous amount of time to educating new collectors and sharing his knowledge for the benefit of others, particularly in the field of tokens and medals.
1795 Flowing Hair. Three leaves under each wing. Curl touches top of star. AU. Rare. $7.50.
1795 As last. VG. $3.10.
1796 Small letters in legend. Extremely Fine. $10.00.
1798 13 Stars. Small eagle on clouds. Fine. Rare. $4.25.
1798 13 Stars. Heraldic eagle. VG. $2.20.
1799 Six Stars. The stars small. VG. $2.10.
1799 Six Stars. The stars large. Nearly Unc. $3.10.
1800 Dotted Date. VG. $2.40.
1800 Perfect Date. VG. $2.70.
1802 Perfect Date. Unc. Rare. $8.50.
1803 Lower part of 3 double-cut. VF. $3.70