My Journey to Identify a DB Dollar Variety

I recently picked up a fascinating DB dollar that had me scratching my head about its specific variety. You know how it is—as a collector, I live for those little details, and this piece demanded a good, hard look to uncover its secrets.

My First Look

Right off the bat, I spotted that prominent punched hole. It got me wondering about its journey. Was it once strung on a chain, maybe worn as jewelry? That kind of character makes you imagine its past—perhaps it even swung in Madam Orr’s place from ‘Support Your Local Sheriff’. Beyond the hole, I noticed long scratches on the front that might be mint adjustment marks, though I wasn’t certain. Honestly, these flaws don’t hurt its charm one bit; if anything, they show this coin earned its keep.

Figuring Out the Variety

After digging through my references and chatting with some folks who know their stuff, I pinned it down as the B-9 variety—the one collectors sometimes call the ‘Amateur Diecutter’s Reverse’. Here’s what caught my eye:

• It’s Die State 2, showing a clear reverse die crack running from the ‘O’ in ‘OF’ straight to the rim.
• The obverse has that distinctive pointed ‘9’ in the 1798 date—a dead giveaway for this type.
• You’ll see the heraldic eagle reverse, four points in the shield, and ten arrows in the eagle’s claw.

With over 30 varieties for this coin type, landing on B-9 felt like a real win. Pro tip: always check these little details under bright light or magnification—it’s easy to mix them up otherwise.

Checking Authenticity and Wear

That hole and those scratches made me wonder about authenticity. I snapped plenty of edge shots hunting for signs of a fake—relief washed over me when nothing looked off. Grading-wise, that hole definitely knocks it down a peg value-wise, but it doesn’t change the coin’s genuine history. My advice? Never skip checking the edge on older coins like this—it tells you so much. The scratches? Probably adjustment marks. When you see those, focus more on the overall strike and wear patterns than chasing perfection.

Rarity and Smart Collecting

This variety isn’t the rarest—maybe 300 to 500 survive across all grades—but it’s still a solid piece for a collection. Coins with holes or damage like this trade cheaper, which honestly makes them great starter pieces if you’re new to the series. If you’re hunting one, look for clear die cracks and less wear to get the most bang for your buck. Remember, features like the pointed ‘9’ are common, so don’t overspend unless the condition is top-notch.

Wrapping It Up

This whole process reminded me why I love the detective work in numismatics. If you’re chasing your own coin mysteries, start with crisp photos, trust solid references, and embrace the flaws—they add soul. Happy hunting! May your next find be hole-free but packed with personality.