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Which early dollar do you prefer, the 1799 or the 1803?

BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,814 ✭✭✭✭✭
These early dollars have similar grades. Which one do you like better, the 1799 or the 1803?

1799

imageimage

1803

image
image
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?

Comments

  • The 03 looks original.
  • rheddenrhedden Posts: 6,632 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Tough call. 1803 has better/more original color, but 1799 is better in terms of sharpness of detail/strike quality. I think I like the 1799 better.
  • STONESTONE Posts: 15,275
    1799 for luster, 1803 for overall scareness
  • Hi Bill,

    Well, to me, IMHO the 1799 - the oddish color is distracting and mottled in a way that does not enhance the design. It makes is confusing a bit. The 1803, while with softer strike/wear included, has a nice even color look that enhances the design and makes it standout - reverse deficiencies given. I guess maybe neither are fully original, but the 1803 looks much, much closer.

    Eric

  • I'll go with the '99 Bill..the 1803 looks a bit washed..
    ......Larry........image
  • Timbuk3Timbuk3 Posts: 11,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Both are very nice.
    But, I like the 1799 better !!!
    Timbuk3
  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,845 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1803

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • zap1111zap1111 Posts: 1,298 ✭✭
    Good question - the 99 grabs me more. I'd take either one, actually!
    zap
    zap1111
    102 capped bust half dollars - 100 die marriages
    BHNC #198
  • AnkurJAnkurJ Posts: 11,370 ✭✭✭✭
    The 1803. Surfaces on the 1799 don't look original.
    All coins kept in bank vaults.
    PCGS Registries
    Box of 20
    SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
  • From the pictures I picked the 1803 but in hand might be different.
  • messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,306 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1803 for me. More even look appeals to me more.
  • goldengolden Posts: 9,996 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I like the 1799.
  • pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 7,308 ✭✭✭✭✭
    pretty much the same as the other poll, in both cases pictures could make a big difference ... but, I think I'd like the 03 better in hand, although it is probably the lesser grade

    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
  • TPRCTPRC Posts: 3,814 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This one is easy for me...the 03 and I just love the toning.

    Tom

  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,609 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I like the color of the 1799 and I feel it gives it the appearance of a better struck coin. JMO
    Jim

    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • USMoneyloverUSMoneylover Posts: 1,672 ✭✭✭
    I like the 1803 better
    Finest Coins and Relics
  • BarberFanaticBarberFanatic Posts: 671 ✭✭✭✭
    Neither. The 1799's surfaces look played with and the 1803's surfaces look washed out.
    My current coin collecting interests are: (1) British coins 1838-1970 in XF-AU-UNC, (2) silver type coins in XF-AU with that classic medium gray coloration and exceptional eye appeal.
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,814 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Okay. Here is my take on each piece, which are both in my collection.

    The 1799 was from an old New England collection. The coin was soap and watered a long time ago and has re-toned. It has multicolored toning, which does not show up well in the picture, and it also has nearly unbroken cartwheel luster that shows when you swirl it under the light.

    I fell in love with this piece when I first saw it in 1978, but I had to wait years before I had a chance to buy it. Here is an example of how grading standards can change. The owner thought that it was an AU. I graded it EF-45. Finally the agreement was that ANACS would be the judge. He sent it to ANACS, which was owned by the ANA at that time. ANACS graded it EF-45, and I paid the EF-45 price. Circa 2003 I cracked it out and sent the coin to NGC who graded it AU-55.

    The 1803 is a recent FUN show purchase. It came from the Hesselgesser collection. PCGS graded it AU-53. It has even gray surfaces with super smooth surfaces. It has a fair amount of luster within the letters on the reverse, and only hints of luster on the obverse. The dealer from whom I bought it only charged me 5% over his cost. I know because I tracked the coin down when it sold at auction. Some might call it an AU-50, but it really does not matter. It’s a nice example of scarce date that is hard to find this nice.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • SmittysSmittys Posts: 9,876 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd want both, but chose the 1799
  • astroratastrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1803 ... the 1799 has little appeal for me, but the 1803 looks great!
    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
  • DeepCoinDeepCoin Posts: 2,781 ✭✭✭
    If I could only have one for a type set, I would choose the 1799. I am always attracted to coins that are 17xx dates. The 1803 is the more rare coin, but I still prefer the 1799. And yes, I like the look of the 1799 better as well, but if it were a tie I would go with 1799.
    Retired United States Mint guy, now working on an Everyman Type Set.
  • rawmorganrawmorgan Posts: 618 ✭✭✭
    Without both being imaged under the same lighting conditions I really can't make a choice. The '03 has a better pic so if I had to choose I would go with it.

  • IrishMikeyIrishMikey Posts: 1,561 ✭✭✭
    Easily the 1803 for me -- I like the look better, and I like the date better.
  • rec78rec78 Posts: 5,869 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'd want both, but chose the 1799 >>

    image
    I like strike - in all fairness the 1799 seems to be photographed in a different light, thus has an unfair advantage in this poll. I do like the 1803 also as it is the more scarce date. Bob
    image
  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,412 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The 1803 does have that washed out look.I prefer the look of the '99.

    Apparently,these are impossible to find unmessed with.

    Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.

  • greghansengreghansen Posts: 4,301 ✭✭✭
    Not even close for me. The 1803 is far more desireable IMO.

    Greg Hansen, Melbourne, FL Click here for any current EBAY auctions Multiple "Circle of Trust" transactions over 14 years on forum

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