1803 Draped Bust Cent. S-258. Rarity-1. Small Date, Large Fraction. MS-64 RB (NGC). CAC.An exceptional example of the type, issue and die pairing. We note an abundance of mint color on both sides, some of it faded to golden-brown, but a good amount of it retaining original bright pinkish-red. Warm steel-brown patina is also evident, especially in and around the central reverse. The strike is well centered and, while a bit soft throughout the wreath on the reverse, offers bold to sharp definition elsewhere. A bit of light carbon in the date area and several well-scattered spots on the obverse are consistent with the impressive Choice Mint State grade from NGC. Breen Die State II.<p>The mintage of 3,131,691 coins that the <em>Guide Book</em> provides for the 1803 Draped Bust cent corresponds to the Mints deliveries for this denomination during calendar year 1803 - 2,471,353 coins - plus all but 96,500 of the 756,838 cents (660,338) delivered during calendar year 1804. While many 1803-dated cents were certainly struck during calendar year 1804 (and possibly as late as 1806), the mintage of this issue remains an estimate since we do not know exactly how many 1804-dated cents were struck, or even when all of those coins were produced (they may also have been delivered during calendar year 1805, possibly even 1806).Sheldon-258 is one of the varieties of the 1803-dated cent issue that Breen believes may have been delivered during calendar year 1804. A popular die pairing for type purposes, not only are circulated examples plentiful, but enough Mint State coins are extant to suggest that a small hoard existed at one time. If so, the coins have long since been widely dispersed, for market appearances are usually few and far between, certainly not frequent enough to meet demand from high grade type collectors and advanced early copper enthusiasts.<p><p>The offered coin is not included in the 2015 Noyes census - an obvious omission since it clearly qualifies for such standing. The Bland census of 2000 states regarding the Sheldon-258 die pairing: "Dozens survive in Mint State, a few of which can be called MS-63 but nothing better has been seen." This coin would be an excellent choice to represent the 1803 Small Date, Large Fraction <em>Guide Book</em> variety in an advanced type collection, and is also a significant find for the early copper variety specialist.PCGS# 1486. NGC ID: 224G.Combined PCGS and NGC Population (all die marriages of the issue): 1; 1 finer in this category (PCGS MS-67 RB).From Heritages sale of the Oliver Collection, August 2011 Chicago Signature Auction, lot 7017.
