Straits Settlements 1903-B dollar
The first specimen was lot 73536 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, June 2020), where it sold for $840. The catalog description[1] noted, "STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. Dollar, 1903-B. Bombay Mint. PCGS MS-62 Gold Shield. Incuse "B" mint mark. Sporting an attractive cabinet tone and shimmering luster peeking though from beneath, this near choice example offers great quality for the type." The second specimen was lot 51339 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it sold for $1,920. The catalog description[2] noted, "STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. Dollar, 1903-B. Bombay Mint. PCGS MS-62 Gold Shield. Variety with incuse B. This vibrant crown offers mostly argent centers and some subtle golden highlights as one approaches the peripheries." This dollar is one of a two year type issued for the Straits Settlements during 1903-04. The second issue of Edward VII (KM 26, struck 1907-09) was reduced to 20.21 grams and the issue of George V (KM 33, 1919-26) was reduced even further to 16.85 grams. The Straits Settlements began as a miscellaneous group of trading stations in Southeast Asia and gradually developed into what is now Malaya.
Recorded mintage: 1,000,000 plus proofs.
Specification: 26.95 g, 0.900 fine silver, 36.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-25; Tan-SSC34; Prid-1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The June 2020 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The April 2021 Hong Kong Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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