Q. David Bowers
The Will W. Neil Collection sold by B. Max Mehl, June 17, 1947. This was another of the great cabinets sold by Mehl. The offering of early dollars began with an Uncirculated 1794 and ended with a set of 1801-2-3 Proof "restrikes" and an 1804!
Although Neil, a Wichita, Kansas druggist, collected many series, his favorite denomination was silver dollars. Mehl's use of Haseltine attributions during this period of his career is puzzling. Some collections used them, some did not, and some (such as the Neil Collection) were partially attributed. I suspect that if the consignor attributed the coins to Haseltine, Mehl copied the numbers; otherwise, Mehl did not include them.
1794 Probably the finest known specimen! ... Beautiful Unc. specimen. Some short file marks in the die on upper obverse right edge. Usually, as is well known, the 1794 dollar comes with the stars on left and corresponding side on reverse weakly struck. This specimen is undoubtedly a very early impression of the die, as the stars on left are just about as bold as those on right, and the legend on reverse is perfect and well struck. Hardly the slightest touch of cabinet friction. The feathers on eagle's breast all show. Full iridescent mint lustre. Far superior to the specimen in my sale of the great Atwater Collection where the coin brought $1,575.00. And comparing it with the reproduction of the specimen offered and sold in January of 1946 for $2,000.00, this coin seems to be far superior. I cannot say that this is the finest specimen known. I can and do make the statement that it is by far the most beautiful specimen of this rare dollar that I have ever seen or that has ever passed through my hands. And according to the records of somewhat inferior specimens, that of $2,000.00, this coin should bring a correspondingly higher price. In fact a rarity of this caliber in this remarkable choice condition is practically priceless. Valued by Mr. Neil at $2,500.00, which value I consider conservative. It is difficult to resist the temptation to get enthusiastic about a gem of this sort. Regardless of what the lucky buyer may pay for the coin it will pay him great dividends in the pleasure and pride of ownership. $1,250.00.
1795 Head type. VF. $27.60.
1795 Type as last. H-5. Strictly VF, can easily be classed as EF with iridescent purple surface. $45.50.
1795 Head of '94. Obverse H-3; reverse H-4. Fine, strictly so. $41.
1795 Bust type. H-14. Strictly Fine. $22.50.
1796 VF. $51.50.
1796 VF. $22.75.
1796 H-4. VF; free from any nicks or dents. $42.50.
1797 About Fine. $26.00.
1797 EF with bold impression. $40.00.
1798 H-1. VF, especially for this coin. $44.50.
1798 VF. Unusually bold impression. $40.00.
1798 Just a shade from Unc. Only highest portions show slight cabinet friction. Iridescent mint surface. The stars on right are not as boldly struck as those on left. $31.00.
1799/8 Very plain overdate. EF. Fairly broad milled borders. $31.00.
1799 H-8. VF. $18.00.
1799 Perfect Date. H-11. Obverse H-7. EF, nice even impression; perfectly centered. $26.00.
1799 H-12. Obverse as H-9. reverse as H-11. Tiny planchet defect on right edge. VF, more so EF. $5.75.
1799 Tiny nick on obverse left field. Strictly Fine. $25.00.
1800 Perfect die in legend with exception of light breaks through 'STATES. H-4. Broad milled borders. EF with some lustre. $36.00.
1800 H-11. VF. $19.00.
1800 H-19. Raised milled borders. EF. $23.00.
1801 H-2. Strictly Fine. $18.75.
1801 H-4. VF, strong impression, Mr. Neil purchased this coin as EF. $21.00.
1801 [Proof restrike] Perfect brilliant Proof. Raised borders and instead of milling, borders are of small dots. $300.00.
1802 [Proof restrike] Perfect brilliant Proof gem. $300.00.
1802/1 Very plain overdate. VF with bold impression, but few hairline scratches on left obverse. $17.65.
1802 Perfect Date. B-7. Obverse as H-6; reverse as H-4. StrictlyVF; almost EF. Well struck and centered. $26.00.
1803 Strictly VF. Well struck and centered. $27.00.
1803 Sharply struck. Doubt if this coin has ever been in circulation, as only the highest portions show slight cabinet friction and the coin retains much of its original mint lustre, iridescent surface. $67.50.
1803 [Proof restrike] Perfect brilliant Proof . $300.00.
The Dr. Christian A. Allenburger; Collection, sold by B. Max Mehl, March 23, 1948, included these early dollars, not attributed to Haseltine numbers.
1795 Head type. Point of star equal with point of bust. Star on left cuts through curl. Reverse, two leaves under wings. Beautiful sharp Unc, specimen. A very tiny die break at fourth star at left. Full mint lustre. Raised milled borders. Very rare so choice. A similar specimen in my Atwater Sale brought $137.50 and the buyer was willing to go up to $160.00. It is really remarkable that a dollar over 150 years old can be found in such perfect mint condition. $86.00.
1795 Type similar to last but trifle smaller head. Star at right below point of bust and last curl touches two points of
first star at left. Reverse, two leaves under wings. EF with considerable frosty mint surface. Rare variety in very rare condition. $40.00.
1795 Type of 1794, small head. Variety with star at right just barely under point of bust. Star at left, one point barely touches small curl. Reverse, three leaves under wings. A beautiful semiproof. Just the slightest touch of cabinet friction. Very rare and valuable so choice. Record over $150.00. $65.00.
1795 Type similar to last. Small head. Stars distant from point of bust and curl. Three leaves under wings on reverse. Perfect Unc, specimen. Sharp with full brilliant mint lustre. Every star filled, Variety with tiny die break back of head. Light short hairline on' cheek, hardly noticeable. A beautiful coin. Very rare and valuable. Record $137.50 for an equal specimen. $75.00.
1795 Second or bust type. Variety with curl touching two points of star. Reverse, seven berries in wreath. Beautiful brilliant semi-proof. The obverse shows just the slightest touch of cabinet friction. As near a Proof of this early dollar as I have ever seen. Every star is sharp and fully struck. Superior to the Unc. specimen in my sale of the great Atwater Collection where the coin brought $157.50. $167.50.
1796 Large date and small letters on reverse. Dot die break at IC in AMERICA. EF with considerable mint lustre. Well centered and struck. Record up to $50.00 for equal specimens. $48.50.