1803 $1 BB-255 MS(PCGS#40101)

December 2025 Showcase Auction - The James A. Stack, Sr. Collection Part I

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

21008

Grade

VF20

Price

3,840

Lot Description

Beautiful iridescent toning of pastel blue, champagne, violet, and russet are seen across the light silver gray obverse, while the reverse is darker gray with contrasting light devices and a hint of hidden gold. Scattered trivial marks are seen, and two hairline scratches at the central obverse meet on Liberty's chest. Bowers Die State II, with a short crack between stars 10 and 11. <p>This piece comes with the original envelope for Lot 27 in B. Max Mehl's legendary 1947 auction of the Will W. Neil Collection. That lot was in fact an 1803 Large 3 dollar, but as it was described as "A beautiful sharply struck specimen which Mr. Neil purchased as uncirculated in 1927," it seems unlikely that this coin is that one. While this piece is lovely and desirable, we don't believe Mr. Neil or even Max Mehl would have "doubt[ed] if this coin has ever been in circulation." It has circulated and survived its time in service as a lovely relic of the final issue of this type.