Q. David Bowers
The four obverse dies can be attributed chronologically by the state of the letter R punch used as part of the LIBERTY inscription. Characteristics follow:
BB-61, BB-62 (Small Date) die: Perfect R punch.
BB-66 (Small Date) die: Perfect R punch.
BB-63, BB-64 (Small Date) die: Lower right tip of R partially broken.
BB-65 (Large Date) die: Lower right tip of R broken.
This order of manufacture does not necessarily equate with the order of use of the obverse dies. The R on the obverse of the die used to coin 1796 BB-63 and BB-64 is about in the same condition as the obverse of the die used to coin 1795 BB-52. This probably indicates the obverse dies to coin 1796 BB-61, BB-62 and BB-66 were made prior to 1795 BB-52, and were complete except for the date. Obverse dies for 1795 BB-52 and 1796 BB-63, BB-64, complete except for the date, were made next. Finally, the obverse die for 1796 BB-65 was made; this last die could have been made in 1795, but not dated, or could have been made in 1796.
Reverse dies, a chronology: There were two major reverse letter styles used on four dies to coin 1796 dollars. These consisted of the following:
BB-62, BB-63, BB-66 (Small Letters) die left over from 1795.
BB-65 (Small Letters) die. Style of 1795, and probably made in 1795 (but not used until 1796) or in early 1796; in any event, made before the Large Letters dies.
BB-61 (Large Letters) die. New style (style of 1796). Made about the same time as the reverse die for BB-64.
BB-64 (Large letters) die. Made about the same time as the reverse die for BB-61.
The preceding probably gives the order of manufacture of the reverse dies, but not necessarily the order of use. As can be seen, 1796 BB-65 is struck from the latest-made 1796 obverse die in combination with one of the earliest reverses. The explanation is that when they were made, the dies were put "on the shelf' and not used in any particular sequence. There was no first-in, first-out policy in effect.
Coin production, toward a chronology: Probably, it will never be known exactly when on the calendar the various 1796-dated dollars were made. I believe that some were made in 1796, and that additional pieces were coined in calendar year 1798. Die state evidence helps us to draw some conclusions as follows:
1796 BB-61: The obverse die state on a shared die is earlier than on BB-62.
1796 BB-62: The obverse die state on a shared die is later than on BB-61. Reverse die is left over from 1795 (in early state, not relapped).
1796 BB-63: The obverse die state on a shared die is earlier than on BB-64. Reverse die is left over from 1795 (in early state, not relapped).
1796 BB-64: The obverse die state on a shared die is later than on BB-63.
1796 BB-65: Late obverse die combined with early reverse die. Not linked with any other obverse or reverse dies.
1796 BB-66: Early obverse die mated with left-over 1795 reverse die (with the reverse die now relapped, and in a later state than when used on any other 1796 dollar).
The assumption is made that at least two obverse matings with the left-over die earlier used to coin 1795 BB-51, not yet relapped, were made at the same time (rather than in a later year, such as 1798, when the same 1795 BB-51 reverse was also used, but in a relapped state). The two varieties in question are BB-62 and BB-63.
A problem arises with another mating with the 1795 BB-51 reverse, and that involves 1796 BB-66. This utilizes the left-over die earlier used to coin 1795 BB-51, but with BB-66 it is relapped. Apparently, after the coinage of 1796 BB-62 and BB-63 was completed, the reverse die was taken out of the press and relapped. At some later date it was combined with a hitherto unused obverse die.
At this point, the following chronology can be suggested. Although varieties are combined into the First Striking Period and the Second Striking Period, which of these striking periods actually occurred first is not known.
FIRST STRIKING PERIOD:
Struck first: 1796 BB-61: The obverse die state on a shared die is earlier than on BB-62
Struck second: 1796 BB-62: The obverse die state on a shared die is later than on BB-61. Reverse die is left over from 1795.
SECOND STRIKING PERIOD:
Struck third: 1796 BB-63: The obverse die state on a shared die is earlier than on BB-64. Reverse die is left over from 1795.
Struck fourth: 1796 BB-64: The obverse die state on a shared die is later than on BB-63.
THIRD STRIKING PERIOD:
Struck fifth: 1796 BB-65: Late obverse die combined with early reverse die. Not linked with any other obverse or reverse Dies.
FOURTH STRIKING PERIOD:
Struck sixth: 1796 BB-66: Early obverse die mated with left-over 1795 reverse die (now in a very late, relapped state). I believe this striking period occurred in 1798.