1803 B-3, C-3, R.1, MS64 Brown PCGS. CAC. Our EAC Grade MS63....

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Aug 22, 2022 for:

$10,800.00 Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

1803 B-3, C-3 Half Cent, MS64 Brown
Ex: Brand, TAD, Hain

1803 B-3, C-3, R.1, MS64 Brown PCGS. CAC. Our EAC Grade MS63. Equivalents. Proskey 3: 2-C; Ross 2-C; Gilbert-3; Empire-30; Cohen-3; Breen-3; Bowers-Whitman 4; Eckberg 2-C.
Rarity. R.1. While the 1803 B-1 and the B-3 are each rated R.1, the actual availability is vastly different. The Bowers-Whitman Guide Book suggests that 1,250 to 1,750 B-3 examples are known, and Eckberg provides an estimate of 1,300 coins. The total is less than half the estimate of B-1, and our own experience agrees with those findings.
Obverse 2 appears on Breen-3. In practice, the prominent die bulge at the 18 in the date provides immediate attribution in all but the earliest die states. The serif of the 1 is close to the hair curl and distant from the hair above. The 0 and 3 are widely spaced compared to 180. The R, T, and Y are more widely spaced than the other letters in LIBERTY. The T lacks its left and right bases. A curved die line on the upright of the T is only visible on high grade examples.
Reverse C appears on Breen-3, and reappears as 1804 Reverse A for B-1. This die is known as the "Cross-Eyed Zeros" as the two ciphers are extremely close and appear to touch. There are 16 leaves and five berries in the left branch, and 19 leaves and five berries in the right branch. All of the Ts are defective, missing their left and right base. The first A in AMERICA is slightly low and its right base is extremely close to the adjacent M. The F in HALF has a short left base and vestigial right base.
Edge. Plain.
Surfaces. Although Liberty's shoulder and the upper part of the wreath show weakness, all other details on this piece are unusually sharp. Full cartwheel luster appears on the lovely olive-brown surfaces of this exceptional example that shows very faded mint red on the reverse.
Die State. Manley Die State 4.0. Most surviving examples of B-3 are found in later die states with the characteristic bulge at the 18 of the date. The early die states, Manley states 1.0 and 2.0, without the bulge are extremely rare.

Appearances. Illustrated at the PCGS Set Registry record of the McGuigan Collection. Plated in the January 1981 Stack's catalog.
PCGS Population (5/2022). Only five 1803 half cent submissions are certified finer than MS63 at PCGS. Those five coins are graded MS64 Brown (2), MS64+ Brown, MS64 Red and Brown, and MS66 Red and Brown. Two of those five coins are included in the McGuigan Collection.
Commentary. The finest known 1803 B-3 half cent grades MS66 Red and Brown PCGS and appeared in the Missouri Cabinet auction in 2014. This piece is tied with the Partrick coin for the second finest to appear in recent auctions over the last two decades. The Breen-Hanson Condition Census recorded a half-dozen Mint State examples with the comment than many others exist.
McGuigan Commentary. Choice glossy olive and bluish-brown surfaces. Late die state (M4.5) with weakness on Liberty's shoulder on the obverse and upper leaves on the reverse.
Provenance. Ex: Virgil M. Brand; Brand Estate; Burdette G. Johnson; Anderson Dupont (Stack's, 11/1954), lot 1072; Dorothy Nelson (TAD Collection, Stack's, 3/1975), lot 828; RARCOA; James E. Braunworth (Stack's, 1/1981), lot 5; Stack's (3/1986), lot 791; Hain Family (Stack's, 1/2002), lot 686; Red Headed Copper Collection (Heritage, 8/2018), lot 5019.
Personality. Pennsylvania numismatist Andrew Hain, along with his brother John, assembled a fine collection of early American and colonial pieces that was offered in a January 2002 Stack's auction. While the family collection is best remembered for its extensive selection of 17th-century Massachusetts silver coins, a number of Condition Census early half cents and cents were also included.
From The James R. McGuigan Half Cent Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 222E, Variety PCGS# 35134, Base PCGS# 1060, Greysheet# 80875)

Weight: 5.44 grams

Metal: 100% Copper

More Information:

Special Terms for the McGuigan Collection:
12 equal monthly payments with 3% APR interest starting at Day 46. Invoice released when invoice is paid in full.
or
6 equal monthly payments with interest at 6% APR starting at Day 46. Invoice released within certain limits. Please contact the Heritage Credit Department at CreditDept@HA.com prior to the auction.