Q. David Bowers
• COLLECTING NOTES:
• Die State I: Two specimens are known to the writer. The first is Frank M. Stirling's discovery piece, which from the illustration in The Numismatist appears to be EF. The second is that included in Stack's sale of the Spies Collection, December 9-10, 1974, Lot 19, and described as prooflike EF, with a few faint scratches between the 1 and 7 of the date.
• Die State II: Transitional state. Not Seen by the author.
• Die State III: It is believed that 300 to 500 specimens of 1795 BB-25, Die State III, exist, most of which are in lower grades through VF. Thus, 1795 BB-25 is one of the more readily available issues of the year. The variety becomes rare in AU and better preservation.
The rims are usually indistinct in portions, with some areas appearing flattened; weakness is usually seen at the rim beginning about the 8th star and continuing over LIBE, and from the 13th star, the date, to the 1st or 2nd star; on the reverse, the weak-ness is most often seen at the rim above UNI and OF AME. Most specimens are weak at the obverse center in the area of Miss Liberty's ear (which is usually not Visible), and Oil the eagle's breast.
• NOTABLE SPECIMENS: (Die State III coins)
Saunders Specimen. MS-60.• The Saunders Collection.
Bowers land Merena, 1987: 370. MS-60. "Uncirculated with glossy, frosty, satinlike surfaces, some evidence of contact on the higher points, coloration mostly brilliant with a suggestion of light gray and golden toning."
Einstein Specimen. MS-60 •• The Harry Einstein Collection. Bowers and Merena, 1986: 1727. MS-60, "nearly full natural mint lustre and fields that are reflective, well struck overall with just a bit of weakness at breast feathers of eagle, Liberty's hair strands directly above and behind her ear, most denticles on both sides remarkably bold, though some softly defined directly below date and at the 11:00 to 12:00 positions on obverse, and carry light adjustment marks which do not extend into the field or devices, softness at corresponding positions on reverse noted, hair detail deeply cut, as are all wing feathers of eagle and leaves of the wreath, tiny mint-caused imperfection on obverse rim near 5:00 position, few light hairlines show at the highest points of the design, otherwise surfaces are remarkably attractive (possibly ex Richard Winsor Collection, Chapman brothers, 1895)."
Frontenac Specimen. AU-58 (NGC). • The Frontenac Sale. Bowers and Merena, 1991: 2201. "AU-58, NGC, sea green and lilac toning at center changes to blue and gold at borders, very well struck and very well defined."
Four Landmark Collections Specimen. AU-58. • Four Landmark Collections. Bowers and Merena, 1989: 1942, "AU-58, obverse and reverse both wreathed in pale iridescent blue, golden brown, and silver-gray shades, while center of reverse is an attractive pale rose, obverse strike is very sharp, and all Liberty's hair strands ate individually outlined, reverse similarly well struck, and majority of eagle's feather detail in breast can still be seen, without aid of magnification, reverse rim at top somewhat ragged, but appears as made at the Mint, one hidden scratch in right obverse field near stars."
Austin Specimen. AU-58. • The Austin Collection. Bowers and Ruddy, 1974: 2. "Brilliant Uncirculated, virtually flawless fields, some slight friction on very highest points, well struck .• Bowers and Ruddy, June 1976: 1091, Brilliant Uncirculated with prooflike surfaces. Some friction, limited to higher parts of coin. The fields are frosty." • The Roy Harte Collection. Bowers and Ruddy, 1977: 2779. "Brilliant Uncirculated with prooflike fields and nicely struck, some minor friction on highest points."
Stack's Specimen. AU-55 •• The Greater New York Numismatic Convention Sale. Stack's, 1988: 1404, "Choice AU, soft at centers, light cabinet friction, golden toning, frosty surfaces."
Hollinbeck-Kagin Specimen. AU-55 •• Hollinbeck-Kagin, August 1970: 1071. "Virtually Uncirculated, only barest friction." • Hollinbeck-Kagin, July 1971: 1837. "Very close to Uncirculated, orily barest friction on high points."
Blevins Specimen. AU-50+ •• The H.W.. Blevins Collection. Superior, 1988: 4759, AU-50+ .• Jascha Heifetz Sale. Superior, 1989: 2382. "AU-50.+.delightful original lustre. The strike is above-average with each star and hair strand on Liberty sharp. The reverse is also well struck with all feathers visible except for the upper feathers of the breast, thigh and tail of the eagle. Some faint adjustment marks. Reverse starting to tone about periphery."
• DIE STATE I:
• POPULATION DISTRIBUTION:
Approximate population MS-65 or better: 0 (URS-0)
Approximate population MS-64: 0 (URS-0)
Approximate population MS-63: 0 (URS-0)
Approximate population MS-60 to 62: 0 (URS-0)
Approximate population AU-50 to 58: 0 (URS-0)
Approximate population VF-20 to EF-45: 2 (URS-2)
Approximate population G-4 to F-15: 0 (URS-0)
Approximate population for all grades combined: 2 (URS-2)
• CONDITION CENSUS: 40-40-0
DIE STATE III:
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION:
Approximate population MS-65 or better: 0 (URS-0)
Approximate population MS-64: 0 (URS-0)
Approximate population MS-63: 2 or 3 (URS-2)
Approximate population MS-60 to 62: 5 to 10 (URS-4)
Approximate population AU-50 to 58: 10 to 20 (URS-5)
Approximate population VF-20 to EF-45: 190 to 275 (URS-9)
Approximate population G-4 to F-15: 100 to 190 (URS-8)
Approximate population for all grades combined: 300 to 500 (URS-10)