Q. David Bowers
In the September 1928 issue of The Numismatist, John Zug, of Bowie, Maryland, advertised these early dollars. Zug, relatively unknown to current numismatic historians-for he did not memorialize his trade by issuing catalogues-maintained one of the largest inventories of silver dollars of any professional.
1795 Flowing Hair, 2 leaves. VF $10.00, Fine $7.50.
1795 Flowing Hair, 3 leaves, Fine $7.50, VF $10.00.
1795 Fillet Head, EF $12.50; VF $10.00.
1796 Small Date, large letters, EF $15.00; Fine $10.00.
1796 Large Date, small letters, Fine $10.00.
1796 Small Date, small letters, Fine $15.00.
1797 Six Stars Facing, Fine $8.50.
1797 Seven Stars Facing, EF $17.50; VF $12.50.
1798 Small Eagle, 13 Stars, VF $15.00.
1798 Large Eagle, knobbed 9, EF $10.00; Fine $5.00.
1798 Large Eagle, plain 9, EF $10.00; Fine $5.00.
1798 Large Eagle, wide date, EF $10.00; Fine $5.00.
1799/8 Six Stars Facing, EF $12.50; VF $8.50.
1799 Five Stars Facing, Fine $10.00.
1799 Six Stars Facing, five berries, EF $6.50; Fine $4.50.
1799 Six Stars Facing, no berries, VF $7.50; Fine $6.00.
1800 Unc. $15.00; EF $7.50; VF $6.00, Fine $5.00.
1800 Dotted Date, Fine $6.50.
1801 VF $10.00; Fine $7.50.
1802/1 VF $8.50; Fine $7.50.
1802 Unc. $15.00; VF $7.50; Fine $5.50.
1803 Small 3. EF $12.50; Fine $7.50.
B. Max Mehl's sale of the Alex J. Rosborough Collection, April 9, 1929. This listing includes a selection of early dollars beginning with the rare 1794. 1794 Obverse, Good to VG; Reverse, VG, and considering the coin, it has some claims to being classed as almost Fine. The left lower portion of the obverse weakly struck as usual, but every star and the date is very plain. A few minor, hardly noticeable light scratches but free from any serious nicks or dents. A most acceptable specimen of this very rare dollar. One of the rarest of the entire series and far more rare than is generally recognized. $135.00.
1795 Head type; variety with two leaves under eagle's wing on reverse. VG. $6.00. .
1795 Head type, so-called small head; three leaves under wings. Haseltine No.5. EF, sharp, and with considerable lustre. Very scarce
so choice. $10.00.
1795 Another as last but with slight die break back of head. Small nick on reverse edge. VG. $6.50.
1795 Head type; curl touches one point of star. H-7. VG. Rare die. $6.00.
1795 Bust type, H-15. Light nicks on obverse, otherwise about Fine. Scarce. $5.25.
1796 Large Date, small letters on reverse; die break at LC, Nearly Fine. $5.75.
1796 Small Date and large letters. Good. Scarce. $5.50.
1797 Six stars to right of bust. VG. $5.50.
1797 Seven stars to right of bust. Good. Scarce. $7.00.
1798 Heraldic Eagle. H-13; knobless 9. Only 10 arrows in eagle's claw. VF, with some lustre. $7.35.
1798 Heraldic Eagle; wide date, 8 touching bust. Good. $4.25.
1798 Small Eagle reverse, 13 stars on obverse. Good to VG. Scarce variety. $7.50.
1798 Small Eagle; 15 stars. VG. Rare. Seldom found better. $7.75.
1799/8 Fine. $5.25.
1799 Perfect Date. Without berries on olive branch. EF, with mint lustre. Nearly Unc, Very scarce so choice. $13.25.
1799 Similar to H-2. Good to VG. $3.80.
1800 Perfect Die. VF, but nick on obverse. $4.80.
1801 H-2. 12 arrows in eagle's claw. About Fine. Scarce. $5.25.
1802/1 VF, sharp; bold impression. Scarce. $7.35.
1803 Small 3 in date. H-1. About Fine. Very scarce. $5.00.
1803 Large 3 in date. EF; sharp, with considerable lustre. Very scarce. $7.35.
B. Max Mehl's sale of the Foster Lardner and H.N. Walton Collections, June 24, 1930. This collection begins with a genuine 1794 and ends with a fake 1804. In between is a mostly average selection of early dollars, a particularly nice 1795 being an exception.
1794 First year of issue. One of the rarest dollars. A strictly VG specimen, and considering this coin, has considerable claims to being Fine. As usual, the lower left portion of obverse and corresponding side of reverse not struck up as bold as the other portions of the coin. Very light scratches back of head, hardly noticeable, and the letter D very faintly scratched below chin. These defects are hardly noticeable, but only mentioned due to the important rarity of the coin. Worthy of a home in any collection. Extremely rare and valuable. $136.00.
1795 Head type. Variety with die break back of head. Practically Unc., sharp, with mint lustre. Minute nick below right wing of eagle. Variety with three leaves under wing. Rare so choice. $15.50.
1795 Another just as last. About Fine. $6.50.
1795 Bust type. About Good. $3.50.
1796 Small date and large letters on reverse. Good. $3.00.
1797 Six stars to right of bust. VG; nearly Fine. $4.00.
1798 Large Eagle. Wide date, with top of 8 touching bust. VG. $4.20.
1799 Six stars to right of bust. VG. $3.00.
1800 So-called Dotted Date variety. About Fine. $4.50.
1801 Scarce date. Fine. $6.00.
1802 Perfect Date. Nearly Fine. $5.25.
1804 (?) A cleverly-altered date. One of the best I have ever seen. VG. $13.25.