Images courtesy of Superior Galleries 
From the "Pre-Long Beach Sale", June 5-7, 2000, Lot 220, where it was described as follows:
"1803 S-253 R2 AU58 Sharpness mint state but there is a bluish steel stain on the face and a couple tiny ticks on the face, plus a dull scuff at the bases of S-O on the reverse. Possibly recolored long ago but the surfaces are quite lustrous and attractive. The obverse is lustrous steel brown except for the bluish steel toning on the face; the reverse is mostly a very lustrous bluish steel with frosty light brown toning near the dentils. Both colors are attractive, but the mix is odd. Sharply struck MDS. Called MS60 net AU50 by Noyes and tied for CC#4; Bland says AU55 tied for CC#3. This is the Penny Whimsy plate coin.
     Ex Walter F. Webb #79, 5/49:10-Homer K. Downing-1952 ANA Sale, New Netherlands Coin Co. #38:1945-Elliot Landau-New Netherlands Coin Co. #52, 12/58:121-Emanuel Taylor 10/60-R.E. Naftzger, Jr., 3/77-C. Douglas Smith-Dr. Robert A. Schuman."

Recent appearances:
"AU-55".  Ex - Superior Galleries "Pre-Long Beach" Elite Coin Auction, May 25-27, 2003, Lot 525, sold for $8,050.00 Ex Walter F. Webb #79, 5/1949:10-Homer K. Downing, 1952 ANA Sale, New Netherlands Coin Co. #52, 12/58:121-Emanuel Taylor 10/60-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 3/77-C. Douglas Smith-Dr. Robert A. Schuman, Superior 6/5/2000:220. 

Del Bland graded VF-25.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 359, "Sheldon-253, High Rarity-2.  Ex: Jay Szerencsky: Early American Coppers 4/98: 146.", illustrated, sold for $747.00

Sources and recommended reading:
"Penny Whimsy" by Dr. William Sheldon

Relevant collector organizations:
Early American Coppers Club