Home› U.S. Coin Forum
Options

Poll, Which of these two early dollars do you prefer?

BillJonesBillJones Posts: 35,968 ✭✭✭✭✭
Here are two early dollars that are in similar grades. Both have grading numbers and are not in "genuine" or net graded holders. Which coin do you find to be the more attractive piece?

1795 Bust Dollar

imageimage

1797 Bust Dollar

imageimage
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?

Comments

  • Options
    kazkaz Posts: 9,386 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Well, they both sort of made me gasp, but now that my pulse has slowed down I like the '97 more because it has more of that old silver glow and patina that I like.
  • Options
    STONESTONE Posts: 15,275 ✭
    I will pick up a 1797 over most any other date in that series (1794 and 1803 being the two I would pick-up first if I had the choice).

    I also like the look of the 1797 slightly more over the 1795, but the lighting between the two is also different which alters the overall
    look of the coins.
  • Options
    BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I imagine the 1795 is a bit higher grade, but I do prefer coins dated 1797 and like the look of that one

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • Options
    The '97 but it may be the light, both are sweet!
  • Options
    jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 11,266 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Without having the benefit of any previous knowledge to this series of coins, I feel the 1795 has much more complete ribbon surfaces on the obverse and the leaves are far more complete on the reverse.
    Thus, I would select the 1795 between the two. Color and most other wear being alike.
    Jim

    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • Options
    MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,192 ✭✭✭✭
    #1 as it appears to have some luster left.
    #2 looks a bit "dead" to my eye.

    That said, I would likely pass on both.
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • Options
    CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 34,202 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I would call the 1795 an EF-40 and the 1797 a VF-30, but like the originality of the 1797. The 1795 has been cleaned.
    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
  • Options
    Timbuk3Timbuk3 Posts: 11,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I like the 1795 !!!
    Timbuk3
  • Options
    I like the color of the 1797 more but the lighting might have something to do with that.
  • Options
    1795.

    Much more detail in the hair on the obverse, and feathers on the reverse.

    Mark
  • Options
    PQueuePQueue Posts: 901 ✭✭✭
    The 1795 has been cleaned.

    I like the 1797 better, but it sure looks like they both have been cleaned, minimally "soap and watered".
  • Options
    The 1795 seams to have a bit more cleavage.....I'll go with that..!!
    ......Larry........image
  • Options
    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I like the 1795, better overall appearance. Cheers, RickO
  • Options
    LeeBoneLeeBone Posts: 4,901 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I like both but for different resons.


  • Options
    rheddenrhedden Posts: 6,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The 1797 has better surfaces and color. The color of the 1795 suggests that it was slightly "improved" at some point.
  • Options
    oakcoinoakcoin Posts: 187 ✭✭
    I dont like the difference of color between the fields and the letters/stars on the 1797.
    Ill go with the 1795.
  • Options
    I like both of them, but I like the the look of the 1797 a little bit more than the 1795.
  • Options
    pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 7,935 ✭✭✭✭✭
    both nice coins, but I think I'd like the look of the 97 better in hand, even though I think it might be the technical lesser grade

    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
  • Options
    TPRCTPRC Posts: 3,819 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Tough call for me because I like both and I collect the series. I guess I like the 97 a little better because it has a more natural tone, fewer nicks, and perfect rims. The 95 has a few rim dings, but it is still nice.

    Tom

  • Options
    etexmikeetexmike Posts: 6,852 ✭✭✭
    Six of one and a half dozen of the other. image

    I couldn't pick between the two. Both look like nice coins to me.


    Mike
  • Options
    pcgs69pcgs69 Posts: 4,409 ✭✭✭✭
    97...don't care for all of the rim bumps on the 95
  • Options
    AnkurJAnkurJ Posts: 11,375 ✭✭✭✭
    Neither. Both have had their original surfaces striped and have since retoned.
    All coins kept in bank vaults.
    PCGS Registries
    Box of 20
    SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
  • Options
    I like the '95 better. The print bothers me a little on the '97.

    I'd be extremely proud to own either one of them....
  • Options
    PistareenPistareen Posts: 1,506 ✭✭✭
    I've never catalogued a coin from a picture and don't intend to start, but based on the image I would vigorously disagree with Ankur's assertion that the 1797 has been stripped and retoned.

    The 1795 is on its second toning, but cleaned and left to develop a second skin is different from stripped and retoned, I'd think.

    I prefer the look of the 1797 despite its lower sharpness grade.

    Bill, let's start a grading thread on US Mint medals or William Henry Harrison campaign tokens image
    John Kraljevich, Director of Numismatic Americana, Stack's Bowers Galleries
  • Options
    PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,796 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Either one would be a nice addition to a collection but I like the 1795 slightly more.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • Options
    DorkGirlDorkGirl Posts: 9,994 ✭✭✭
    It took a while for me to decide.....but I picked the 95.
    Becky
  • Options
    AngryTurtleAngryTurtle Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭
    I agree with the experts on the 1795 - lacking a little originality, but am not really sold on the 1797, either. Both are better than my (nonexistent) typeset piece.
  • Options
    BillJonesBillJones Posts: 35,968 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I like both but for different resons. >>



    This quote sums up my opinion of both pieces. Here is my take on them.

    The 1795 was dipped and is now growing a new skin. It has a very attractive look IMO, which why I bought it. NCG graded it AU-53, and I agree with that grade.

    I think that some of you need to learn the difference between “cleaned” and “dipped.” "Cleaned" means that the surfaces have been stripped and that a new layer of silver now covers the coin. "Dipped" means that the coin was submersed in a mild acid which removed some oxidized metal, but left the mint luster intact. “Cleaned” is mildly to strongly unacceptable. Properly done, “dipped” should not be a major problem for most collectors. The purists are entitled to their opinion, but I can tell you from conversations with John Albanese that he does not considered dipping, when it is done properly, to be a problem.

    The 1797 is a totally original coin with no defects. If this coin is not an original piece, then there are no original Bust dollars. It came from the collection of a gentleman who was sticker for originality. The picture shows more yellow highlights that are on the piece when you see it in person. I’ve not been about to adjust the picture to remove them.

    PCGS graded the 1797 EF-45, which right on the money. The coin has the sharpness for the grade and hints of mint luster inside some of the letters, especially on the reverse. Those are the classic attributes of an EF-45 coin.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • Options
    johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 34,330 ✭✭✭✭✭
    i like the 1797. it looks to have more of an original patina and silver color to it
  • Options
    IrishMikeyIrishMikey Posts: 1,561 ✭✭✭
    Definitely the 1797.

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file