Recent Addition to my Typeset - 1803 Bust Dollar

RAB · May 22, 2019 7:38PM

Though strictly a collector of Morgan Dollars for close to 15 years, my focus has shifted almost entirely to type over the past 4 or 5 years. I've become particularly fond of Draped Bust coins and wanted to share the 1803 dollar I recently added to my typeset. I just love the deep, colorful toning over fields that have a fair degree of reflectivity. Thanks for looking!

edwardjulio · May 22, 2019 7:43PM

Beauterous.

Unknown · May 22, 2019 7:44PM

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coinnut · May 22, 2019 7:45PM

Beautiful!! Love it.

TwoKopeiki · May 22, 2019 7:46PM

Love that deep purple color on silver!

golden · May 22, 2019 8:54PM

Very nice!

Connecticoin · May 22, 2019 8:57PM

Outstanding! Do you have images of other coins in your type set?

Kkathyl · May 22, 2019 9:02PM

Sexy addition well done.

Justacommeman · May 22, 2019 9:22PM

LOVE. Congrats! You have great taste

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BryceM · May 22, 2019 9:32PM

Nice coin. Perfect for a type set.

ACop · May 22, 2019 9:34PM

Awesome

lkeigwin · May 22, 2019 9:39PM

Wow! What a great choice. Terrific color. Lovely surfaces. Wonderful strike. To die for.
Lance.

Stuart · May 22, 2019 9:54PM

@RAB Coin-grats on your acquisition of that Majestically Beautiful 1803 Draped Bust Dollar!!😁👍👍

> @RAB said:

Though strictly a collector of Morgan Dollars for close to 15 years, my focus has shifted almost entirely to type over the past 4 or 5 years. I've become particularly fond of Draped Bust coins and wanted to share the 1803 dollar I recently added to my typeset. I just love the deep, colorful toning over fields that have a fair degree of reflectivity. Thanks for looking!

jedm · May 23, 2019 12:48AM

Whew- outstanding!

ACop · May 23, 2019 3:18AM

Whats the grade AU-something?

ricko · May 23, 2019 4:35AM

That coin is in great condition... really nice detail..... Congratulations on a nice acquisition. Cheers, RickO

Treashunt · May 23, 2019 4:47AM

Hemispherical · May 23, 2019 5:02AM

The bust portrait on that coin is outstanding @RAB!

Coin Finder · May 23, 2019 7:22AM

Nice coin!!

Stuart · May 23, 2019 7:26AM

I love the very detailed sharp strike, including strong radial lines in the obverse stars which really gives them a 3-dimensional look.

Based on the the unusual shape of the “3” in that Small 3👇variety, I wonder if it could have possibly originally been a “5” punched into the die, that was reworked to make into a 3? 🧐

The Deep toning is also beautiful! 👍👍

(Photo Credit: PCGS CoinFacts)

ElmerFusterpuck · May 23, 2019 7:28AM

That's what 200+ year old lightly circulated coins should look like, congrats!

RAB · May 23, 2019 7:51AM

Thank you all for such kind comments! I'm really excited about this dollar and hope to have it in my collection for the long term.

@ACop said:
Whats the grade AU-something?

Yes, the coin is AU55.

@Stuart said:
Based on the the unusual shape of the “3” in that Small 3👇variety, I wonder if it could have possibly originally been a “5” punched into the die, that was reworked to make into a 3?

Interesting thought re the 3. Agreed that it looks really unusual and I'd love to know the story behind it!

@Connecticoin said:
Outstanding! Do you have images of other coins in your type set?

You bet! Will post more at some point!

ACop · May 23, 2019 8:03AM

I thought 55 but didnt want to offend if it was in a 58. It def has 58 appeal. Awesome coin. Got me looking at draped hairs again to add to my 1801

Nysoto · May 23, 2019 8:33AM

Very nice coin and an excellent example of Robert Scot's engraving.

Numeral punches were not as consistent in style or size as letter punches at the early Mint. The half dollars of 1803 also had similar small and large 3's. Scot's 1794 engraving report to the Congressional Committee on the Mint gives some indication:

"It may be necessary in this remark to enumerate (to the committee on the Mint) what I think the actual duties of my office are. Viz: Engraving and sinking all Original Dies, raising and finishing all Hubbs that are struck out of them, and raising and finishing all punches that may be requisite for the completion of Dies or Hubbs; letter punches excepted. These may be imported or procured from those of that profession."

Nysoto · May 23, 2019 9:10AM

The early US Mint used Caslon typeface for letters, developed by William Caslon in England and spread through the British influence of North America during the revolutionary era. Typefounders such as Jacob Bay, who engraved letter punches for the Mint until the yellow fever of 1793, had a long history of typefounding and the letters were consistent in the Caslon style. The numerals at the Mint did not follow the same stylistic guidelines.

Bob13 · May 23, 2019 9:25AM

What a coin - do you have any provenance? How was that thing preserved?

RAB · May 23, 2019 9:40AM

@Nysoto that's very cool! Thank you for sharing that information regarding engraving, especially letter vs numerals.

@Bob13 said:
What a coin - do you have any provenance? How was that thing preserved?

The coin is pedigreed to Hesselgesser - that's all I have for now. At some point, I need to do some research! As far as preservation, I would have to imagine that someone put this coin aside after a brief stint in circulation and that it was well cared for after that!

asheland · May 23, 2019 11:55AM

Man, that's sweet!

MikeInFL · May 23, 2019 1:15PM

Excellent coin! I can think of no better compliment than to say I'd be proud to own that coin too!

Thanks for sharing...Mike

BillJones · May 23, 2019 1:32PM

@RAB said:
@Nysoto that's very cool! Thank you for sharing that information regarding engraving, especially letter vs numerals.

@Bob13 said:
What a coin - do you have any provenance? How was that thing preserved?

The coin is pedigreed to Hesselgesser - that's all I have for now. At some point, I need to do some research! As far as preservation, I would have to imagine that someone put this coin aside after a brief stint in circulation and that it was well cared for after that!

That one is better than the 1803 Bust Dollar in my collection, which also came from Hesselgesser.