 1803 S.251, Farthest 1 and 3; Short Fraction Bar. Mint State-63. Faded mint color with beautiful light tan lustre throughout. The obverse shows scattered specks, most of which are not distracting. The reverse has a darker area from the edge to the wreath covering 'OF' and a few other toning spots on the surfaces. Boldly struck on Liberty's hair and most of the wreath, as the majority of the leaves show their central venation. The surfaces are excellent for an early Large Cent, with no handling marks worthy of note. For identification purposes, there is a small patch of corrosion below the 'O' in OF which hallmarks this specimen. Early die state for this pairing, with no signs of the reverse die cracks that are seen on later strikings. For eye appeal and quality, this is an outstanding example of this issue, and certainly one of the finer pieces to come down to us today.
Close to the Condition Census for the variety, and tied with a small group at this level. Highly collectible as such, and a coin that any numismatist can appreciate for the surfaces, strike and eye appeal.
Ex Herman Halpern Collection (Stack's, March 1988, lot 231); Bowers and Merena's Sale, November 1984, lot 2038.
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