Cracking the Code: My Deep Dive into the DB Dollar Variety

I recently picked up a fascinating DB dollar coin and couldn’t resist digging into its specific variety. As a collector who lives for these numismatic puzzles, this one gave me some great lessons about rarity, authenticity, and how historical coins develop their unique personalities.

Pinpointing the Variety

After studying it closely, I’m confident this is the B-9 variety – what collectors call the “Amateur Diecutter’s Reverse”. The giveaway? It’s in Die State 2 with a clear reverse die crack stretching from the ‘O’ in ‘OF’ right to the rim. These little details are what make attribution so rewarding and connect us to the coin’s history.

Key Identifying Features

When confirming this variety, I always look for a few specific traits. Here’s what stands out:

• Heraldic Eagle Reverse showing exactly 4 vertices lines in the shield
• 10 cleanly visible arrows in the eagle’s claw
• That distinctive pointed ‘9’ in the 1798 date – classic for DB dollars

These markers help separate it from the 30+ known varieties, proving why careful examination matters in our hobby.

Rarity and Market Insights

You’ll find the B-9 is actually one of the more accessible varieties, with maybe 300-500 examples known across all grades. That makes it a solid starting point for early American silver collectors. The die cracks and imperfections often boost appeal – they tell the coin’s story. Market-wise, these hold steady interest, especially in top grades, but even worn examples like mine carry fascinating history.

Grading Tips and Unique Flaws

My coin has some long obverse scratches – likely mint adjustment marks – that don’t really affect grade but are worth mentioning. More interestingly, it’s got a drilled hole, probably from being worn as jewelry. While some collectors might frown at this, I find it charming; it shows the coin lived a full life! For holed coins, remember to focus on overall preservation – authenticity and original details outweigh minor damage.

Authenticity Confirmation

To check if it was genuine, I went straight to the edge. Clear photos showed no warning signs like uneven wear or casting seams – always a relief. Don’t skip the edge check; it’s one of the simplest ways to spot fakes in our field.

Broader Collecting Insights

Working with this variety reminded me how DB dollars capture the early U.S. Mint’s character. That pointed ‘9’, for example, might seem small but it’s packed with historical context. Paying attention to these details doesn’t just help ID coins – it connects us to their journey through time.

At the end of the day, this is why I love collecting: every coin has a tale to tell, and discovering it is pure joy. Happy hunting out there!