1803 1C Small Date, Small Fraction, BN MS(PCGS#1482)

1803 1C Small Date, Small Fraction, BN MS (PCGS#1482)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: Breen Die State IV. This fully lustrous and glossy medium brown cent exhibits delicate steel-blue tinting to both sides. Faded mint red color is very much in evidence along the upper obverse border. Few copper coins from this period show any mint color and this piece is exceptional in this regard. A few trivial carbon spots are scattered about precluding an even higher certified grade, but there are no significant marks, and the in-hand appearance is quite smooth overall.<p>Many die marriages of this date correspond to the Small Date, Small Fraction <em>Guide Book</em> variety of the 1803 Draped Bust cent. Among these is Sheldon-254, a variety with a number of Mint State coins known. This is especially good news for high grade type collectors, who are certain to flock to this choice survivor as a superior representative of the Draped Bust design. Of course, early copper variety enthusiasts are also sure to find much to admire in this cent. With bidding expected to be intense, only an aggressive strategy will take home this prize.