Extremely Rare 1803 BD-6 Eagle, MS62
The Only Eagle Variety Harry Bass Never Owned

1803 $10 Large Stars Reverse MS62 NGC. Breen-6845, B. 1-F, Taraszka-32, R.7. Of 33 known die varieties in the 1795 to 1804 eagle series, Harry Bass was able to obtain 32 during his many years of collecting. The only die marriage that he never owned was the 1803 BD-6 (Breen 1-F) that is offered in this lot. One other 1803 variety was not included in the Bass Core Collection since it was sold in error, but he did own the 1803 BD-4 variety. There is no doubt that Bass would not let this opportunity slip away if he was still alive and collecting. Similarly, current variety collectors should consider seriously this opportunity to acquire the rarest die marriage of the entire series.
In addition to its importance as the second rarest variety, the 1803 BD-6 also holds the distinction as the last circulation strike early eagle coined, as die state evidence shows that it was minted after the 1804 BD-1 die marriage. Both varieties were struck from the same reverse die, with die cracks further advanced on this variety. The obverse die is the single 1803 die that was used for all six die marriages. In this, the final marriage, the die is lightly cracked through the tops of BERTY, and clashed at the center above Liberty's ear and at the L. The Taraszka plate coin shows what appears to be another crack from the border to star 5, not present on this piece. The reverse has all seven die cracks described in Anthony Taraszka's study of the series, United States Ten Dollar Gold Eagles, 1795-1804.
A lovely example with brilliant yellow-gold surfaces that exhibit hints of green, the obverse is reflective and nearly prooflike, while the reverse is frosty. A few minor surface marks are of little consequence, with faint adjustment marks through star 1. A tiny obverse rim bruise is visible at star 7. Inside the same star is a tiny field nick that matches the 1977 Stack's catalog where this coin earlier appeared. Also matching that plate is a small dark toning spot along the upper edge of the eagle's right (facing) wing.
In Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties, A Study of Die States, 1795-1834, John Dannreuther estimated a known population of six to 10 coins for the BD-6, however, we feel that it is rarer still, and that only four or five pieces are actually known to exist. We are only aware of the following specimens:

1. MS62 NGC. The present specimen and probably the finest known. Purchased by our consignor from our July 2001 Internet Auction where it was incorrectly identified as a Small Stars variety. Earlier, from Stack's (9/1977), lot 1531 where it was called "fully Extremely Fine."

2. MS61 NGC. Bowers and Merena (6/1986), lot 444; Heritage (August 1998), lot 7744.

3. AU55 Auction '84 (Superior, 7/1984), lot 410; Bowers and Merena (9/1988), lot 538.

4. Net AG3, Details of VG8 ANACS. Ex-jewelry. Heritage (3/2003), lot 6347.

In addition to these, Anthony Taraszka recorded one other appearance:
VF, repaired. Superior (1/1981), lot 362, which may be the same as our coin number 4 in the roster above.

Students of the early American gold series must understand how exciting this offering is. The coin is necessary for a complete collection, and opportunities to acquire any example, let alone the probable finest known, rarely take place. This is only the 10th offering that we are aware of in more than 30 years.(Registry values: P3) (#98565)

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