BB-254, B-3 (R-3). Small 3 in Date.

The 1803 is the final year of issue for the Heraldic Eagle reverse type of Bust Dollars. It is one of the more common dates but it is not often seen in higher grades and in EF it is not often seen, especially with good eye appeal. There are an estimated 300-500 known BB-254′s and this variety is quite rare in AU and extremely rare in full Mint State.

This is one of the most perfect EF45 early dollars of any date which I have seen. It shows lovely deep “old time” lilac-grey color with some underlying reds and golds in the fields and some bluish iridescence towards the border. The surfaces are nearly perfect with some small ticks visible only below magnification. There are no adjustment marks or rim nicks and just a bit of striking weakness can be seen on the curls over the forehead and at the top of the hair.

The only CAC-approved EF45 example of this date which has been sold at auction was a PCGS coin (Large 3 variety) was Heritage 8/11: 4305 at $6,325. In my opinion, the present example is considerably nicer and certainly more original.

Marginal quality 1803 dollars are seemingly a dime a dozen but really choice, really original pieces such as this one are extremely hard to find.

CAC has approved one 1803 dollar in EF45 and eight finer.