New purchase - 1803 (large 3) draped bust half (grade revealed in 1st post)

Casey

I've been after a nice draped bust half and just found this one. It's in a PCGS holder. Please tell me what you think it's graded and what you like or dislike about it. I'll post the grade after I get some feedback. My images are a little dark. On the reverse you might note some blurryness around the left claw of the eagle with the arrows - this is on the holder.

Thanks,
Casey

Updated - thanks for the comments everyone. The holder grade is XF40 and I purchased from DLRC. The coin was also attributed as an O-101 (R3 per DLRC) and not as an O-103 as was suggested below , but I am not able to verify that. The price was "reasonable" and a large premium was not involved. However, this coin would be the priciest coin in my collection and I'm still on the fence on whether I'm going to keep it.

Baley

Nice half! Looks too nice for a Very Fine, not quite AU, so I'll guess EF40, margin of error 5 points either way so could be 35 or 45, with 35 being more likely, it being pcgs. I like the details and original looking surfaces, and don't mind the little circulation nicks and ticks, not crazy about the friction on her lower cheek but it's ok considering the overall look. If the coin happens to be in a VF30 holder, I love it as a 30.

numobri

Looks like a nice XF.

Don't see any luster on the obv.

Lots of luster on rev,I like the rev better then the obv.

It might be the pic,but the color is not to my liking.

The coin has a few hits,but I DO like it.

Congrats.

roadrunner

seems like a nice coin at either VF35 or XF40. Congrats.

roadrunner

Dave99B

Awesome! I love it. I'll guess VF30 (wild guess). Great coin Casey!

Dave

puff

Nice half. VF-25

Baley

I think 25 is low. Puff can I buy some VF 25 draped bust halves off you for VF25 money?

K6AZ

I'd say VF35, just a little too much wear for me to say XF. Then again, I'm not exactly a Bust expert. So take my opinion with a grain of salt.

ms70

I'll go with VF30. That's a nice coin. It looks to have been pretty well struck.

Varlis

Awesome coin. VF-35?

Dennis88

I think That's a EF-40 coin. It looks really great...

Dennis

EarlyHalfBoobu

PCGS-45

dorkkarl

xf-40 detail, but definitely doctored/retoned. do not pay premium $ for it.

K S

koinkrazy

At least a vf-30, with an outside chance at xf-40. Pretty well struck.

Baley

definitely doctored/retoned

I would like to know how one can be so certain of that, from the photos. I mean, if you had said possibly, I could understand, given the age of the coin, darkness of the toning, etc, but "definitely"?

thanks, not trying to be a wise-arse, need to be able to tell these things, the coin looks ok to me.

stman

Here comes stman. Although I really like the Bust series.... I just don't like the looks of this one posted. Nothing I can really point my finger at though. I guess because I like "original" surfaces, and although these can be tough to find in this series they can indeed be found. This coin posted does not look original imo. Nothing wrong with that, and if Casey wasn't concerned with this I hope he enjoys his new purchase.

You have a much better eye these days Casey then six months ago, I can say that for sure.

coinlieutenant

I would grade the coin XF40 although PCGS probably called it a 35...

Nice get Tom...

John

mgoodm3

I was thining EF40 or so.

291fifth

Real collectors collect coins before 1816. Congratulations on picking up a nice coin. Just don't go trading it for a top pop state quarter.

Nysoto

XF. The year 1803 makes a great type coin for the series, much more scarce than 1806 or 1807 but close to the same price. The strike is usually better on 1803's than 06 and 07. This is O.103, the most common of the year. 1803 O.103 is the first usage of the large star reverse in the draped bust heraldic eagle series, used on every die marriage thereafter.

Casey

Updated for grade - see 1st post.

dorkkarl

<< <i>definitely doctored/retoned

I would like to know how one can be so certain of that, from the photos. I mean, if you had said possibly, I could understand, given the age of the coin, darkness of the toning, etc, but "definitely"?

thanks, not trying to be a wise-arse, need to be able to tell these things, the coin looks ok to me. >>

hey baley no problem. check out the contrast between the high points & the dark background. the only way the high points are that much lighter is if they were recently rubbed. consider that casey said the images are "a little dark" to boot! this coin's been "soap & watered", as some people say. it has that classic "soap & water" look.

(note my opinion could change given a better digi-pic - going by the digi-pic that exists, plus the explanation that it's a "little dark".)

it's not enough to knock the grade, but personally, i'd be 10% or so back of retail. casey i'd return it, because knowing david-lawrence, you paid a premium, which is gonna be too strong. 1 other thing, if you just want a type, shouldn't you be looking at 1806?

K S

Nysoto

The coin is without a doubt O.103, but pricing is the same as O.101. The coin has fairly recent friction on the cheek, drapery, and ribbon from mishandling, but not cleaned recently.

There are about 4-5 MS 1803's, less than 20 in AU (all varieties). This coin is not choice for the grade because of the friction, but you will be looking a long time to find a PQ XF 1803 half. Or, you can pay $12,500 for the 1803 AU58 on DL's website.