1803 $10 Extra Star MS62 NGC. BD-5, High R.4....

Description

1803 Extra Star Eagle, BD-5, MS62
'14th Star Reverse' Discovery by Harry W. Bass, Jr.

1803 $10 Extra Star MS62 NGC. BD-5, High R.4. Ex: Ashland City. Bass-Dannreuther Die State g/b. Only a single obverse dated 1803 was used for all of the eagles struck in this year (or dated 1803, more accurately), but there were six distinct reverse dies used to create the six die pairings known for the year.

The Bass-Dannreuther early gold reference calls this BD-5 variety "1803 Large Reverse Stars, Extra Star" to point that it is one of several Large Reverse Stars die marriages. For all the 1803 eagles, there are four Small Reverse Stars die marriages, BD-1 through BD-4, and two Large Reverse Stars pairings, the BD-5 and BD-6.

PCGS calls this variety, more elegantly, simply "1803 Extra Star." The NGC tag label reads "1803 14-Star Reverse." In any case, this is an intriguing and puzzling variety. John Dannreuther points out in his early gold reference work that the BD-5 die variety was known previously, but "the curious 14th star seems to have been discovered by Harry Bass."

How this strange variety was created is anyone's guess, but it could be simply a misplaced star punch, or one that was simply dropped onto the die by accident. The star is entirely contained within the borders of the last star on the right, and as such, apparently remained unnoticed until it was spotted by the sharp eyes of Harry W. Bass, Jr.

This MS62 NGC-certified example shows a strike that is exceptionally bold overall, save for faint softness showing on the eagle's breast feathers just above the shield. A noticeable mark appears in the obverse field near Liberty's nose and a few faint adjustment marks on the reverse, with one scratch running from the arrows into the shield. Scattered light marks occur elsewhere on attractive orange-gold surfaces.

This piece is among the few finest survivors of this scarce variety, a coin that should be contested by multiple bidders when it crosses the auction block. Census: 9 in 62, 6 finer (1/14).
Ex: FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/1999), lot 8173; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2004), lot 3063.
From Christopher Bently's Nob Hill Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 88565, Base PCGS# 98565, Greysheet# 9350)

Weight: 17.50 grams

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

View Certification Details from NGC