 1795 B.5. Three Leaves Below Each Wing. Choice About Uncirculated, nearly Mint State. Deeply and colorfully toned with vibrant teal blue in the fields and around the rims, with lighter russet-gold and gray spanning the balance of the coin. The strike is reasonably sharp for this issue, with minor softness on Liberty's curls near her ear caused by shallow adjustment marks in that area, but crisp definition is found on the hair behind her head. Furthermore, the eagle's feathers, are sharply impressed, including most of the breast feathers a feature seldom seen on this variety even when found in high grade. The rims are clean and show no evidence of bumps or nicks.
An important type coin for collectors to obtain, the first Silver Dollars were struck in late 1794 and are not only quite rare, but expensive. The initial design carried through into 1795 with the obverse showing Liberty with flowing hair, and the reverse with a large eagle with outstretched wings. Most of the dies engraved that year have Two Leaves below each of the eagle's wings, yet a few dies had Three Leaves below each wing (as seen here). This is one of the most recognized of all Early Silver Dollar varieties, with a bold engraver's die scratch in the field behind the uppermost curl on Liberty's head, and the Three Leaves below each wing. This die pairing coined well over one half of the 1795 Silver Dollars that year, and most collectors are able to obtain an example for their type sets in the grade they desire. When so close to Uncirculated condition, even this otherwise common die pairing is scarce, so be prepared to bid accordingly! NGC AU58.
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