Unusual 1799 dollar: Help

DoctorPaper

I obtained this high grade bust dollar from a local dealer for a bargain price about 15 years ago because of the obvious damage in front of the face of the effigy. It looks like someone tried to buff out either a counterstamp or some kind of engraving in that area.

What's unsual about this dollar is that you can see a second "99" at the rim between the date and stars on the left when you hold the coin at the proper angle. It didn't show up in my picture of the whole obverse, but you can see it in the closeup. Also, there's some kind of extra metal at the top of Liberty's head and many of the dentils are doubled on the obverse. The reverse seems totally unaffected.

My question is-what caused this? Overstruck planchet? Planchet shifting in the holder and being hit again, or something else? Why isn't the reverse apparently affected? Does this coin have any extra value beyound being a damaged bust coin?

Sorry about the quality of the photo's. I really admire many of the pictures I'm seeing here. I need to upgrade my photo capacity. Thanks...

jbsteven

i am kida curious about this too.

JadeRareCoin

I would say that you have a double struck Bust Dollar. If so, congratulations! The coin was obviously tooled in the right obverse field. The streak in the field above the head looks like a planchet flaw or lamination of some sort. It's hard to tell from images. You should have it authenticated by an expert. PCGS nor NGC will slab the coin due to the damage.

Cool!

dorkkarl

ttt

surprised this thread didn't get more responses. i think this is an unusually interesting discovery.

K S

jbsteven

I am with the dork on this one.

JadeRareCoin

If it is a genuine double struck 1799 dollar, then it is worth multiples over it's value as a non-error coin. There are some examples of "manufactured" double stuck dollars floating around, so authentication is very important.

DoctorPaper, have you shown the coin to any dealers (those specializing in early American coinage)?

DoctorPaper

Well thanks for your thoughts. Would this be the type of coin to send to ANACS and ask them to define the defect, or would it be better to try to privately connect with a bust dollar expert like Dave Bowers?

JadeRareCoin

ANACS is a great choice!

vega1

I agree.... send it to ANACS

JadeRareCoin

.....just make sure that you ask for authenication of the double struck status, otherwise they may not even catch it. It will be Net Graded to about F-12 or so, although the technical grade is secondary to the error.

Stuart

Paging CARDINAL...

JrGMan2004

Sweet! That's pretty cool!!

dorkkarl

ttt hey doctorpaper, what's the lastest on this, you gonna get it looked at?

K S