1803 Large Stars Reverse with 13 Stars, Bass Dannruther 1E variety (Taraszka 32) The coin is an Extremely Rare (Low R7) survivor of a mintage estimated at originally only 250 to 500 coins from one single mating of dies. There are now only six specimens known, and two of those are
News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - Larry Abbott, Executive Vice President and CSO of Superior Galleries of Beverly Hills announced today that Silvano DiGenova, CEO and Chief Numismatist of the firm has discovered a previously unknown specimen, and the third finest known 1803 Large Stars Reverse with 13 Stars, Bass Dannruther 1E variety (Taraszka 32). The coin is an Extremely Rare (Low R7) survivor of a mintage estimated at originally only 250 to 500 coins from one single mating of dies. There are now only six specimens known, and two of those are damaged!
Mr. DiGenova’s coin attribution was reconfirmed earlier by Numismatic Scholar and Author John Dannruther who explained that his BD-1E designation identified the 1803 Large Star Reverse with 13 stars also known as the Taraszka 32. This coin is often mis-catalogued or mis-designated and in most cases is actually the 1803 Large Star Reverse with the extra star or 14 Star Reverse. The 1803 Large Star Reverse with 13 stars is a major rarity. In Anthony J. Taraszka’s book, “United States Ten Dollar Gold Eagles 1795-1804”, he cites four known examples. However, our research has found six total examples, including this newly discovered one. Mr. Taraszka was not aware of this example and jewelry grade specimen to come on the market in March 2003 (AG3 damaged in jewelry). Researcher Phillip Scott Rubin and John Dannruther confirmed our current pedigree list. DiGenova and Dannruther both agree that this variety is actually a separate variety worthy of Red Book Designation and will strive for this. Coin World Trends already designates the 1803 varieties more properly. They state the following: 1803 Small Stars, 1803 Large Stars, and 1803 14 Star. Additionally, both PCGS and NGC designate three varieties: 1803 Small Stars Reverse, 1803 Large Stars Reverse and 1803 14 Star. The key point here is that all 1803 10s with Large Star Reverses are either 13 Star or 14 Star. To properly clarify this, all the guides should read: 1803 Small Stars, 1803 Large Stars 13 Star Reverse and 1803 Large Stars 14 Star Reverse (or as is commonly known as Extra Star Reverse). DiGenova and Dannruther will attempt to correct this in all major price guides along with attempting to update current pricing information to more accurately reflect the extreme rarity of this variety and differentiate it from the 14 Star variety.
A diagnostic characteristic of the rarely seen variety is that the reverse Leaf on the lower right side points between the R and I of America as opposed to in the 14 Star the same leaf points to the bottom of the I in America. Also, the cloud under the S of States is very different in the two varieties. The 14 Star variety usually has a small extra star “punched within the last cloud at right” as quoted from Mr. Taraszka’s book but this star is often not visible, which is why it is so often attributed incorrectly as the Large Star 13 Stars. Mr. Dannruther will be using DiGenova’s new find
