1803 Capped Bust Right Eagle. BD-4, Taraszka-29. Rarity-6. Small Reverse Stars. AU-55 (PCGS).Rich shades of honey-gold color accent the peripheries of this delightful specimen. The fields are smooth and lightly reflective, instilling a lightly prooflike complexion against the more satiny design elements. Trivial evidence of handling is apparent under a glass but no individual marks draw the eye. Sharply struck from lightly worn dies, with evidence of clashing apparent on the obverse and light cracks beginning to form on both sides. An attractive and technically superior example.pThe BD-4 variety is third rarest die variety amongst the 1803 eagles, with an estimated 25-30 known, according to the Bass-Dannreuther reference. Harry Bass owned only a single example, which was sold in the October 1999 auction, leaving none in the core collection. This rarity is difficult to locate in any grade; the extensive cracking and clashing led to a premature demise of this die pairing. Not many examples survived at all, especially in the Choice AU category. This is surely an important offering for specialists and type collectors alike. p
