One clear standout among the many treasures Stack’s Bowers Galleries will be offering in our upcoming Official Auction at the October 2014 PNG event is a pleasing MS-63 PCGS-certified 1803 Draped Bust dollar with Small 3 date details. The soft gray surfaces display bold lilac, sunset orange, blue, and rose iridescence, and the luster is strong overall. The strike is sharp throughout with all of the intended design details present and accounted for. If this sounds like a splendid coin for the grade, it’s because it is just that. Only five Mint State 1803 Small 3 dollars have been certified by PCGS, and the present coin is one of just two called MS-63 by that firm, with two MS-64 examples finer.
Early Bust dollars led the charge into what has been one of the greatest “bull” markets ever in numismatics, and their strength in the marketplace is still unwavering. To find any date Draped Bust dollar in Mint State is a challenge. There are only so many early Mint State dollars to go around, and often bidders rue the fact that they did not bid high enough whenever a Mint State Bust dollar gets away. Whether you come to New York City in October for the PNG event or you participate by internet bidding, you won’t be the only collector in pursuit of this early Draped Bust dollar treasure. To be successful you will have to be strong in your determination and hold your bidding paddle high. We hope to see you in New York City in October or bidding online when this lovely and important 1803 Draped Bust dollar crosses the block.
