Variety Equivalents: 

Notes:

Images courtesy of Superior Galleries 
From the "Pre-Long Beach Sale", June 5-7, 2000, Lot 233, where it was described as follows:
"1803 S-263 R3 AU50+ Just the barest trace of light friction on the highest points of the design, but there is a dark spot on the eyeball and some light contact marks in the right obverse field. Otherwise the surfaces are excellent with great luster and eye appeal. Frosty tan and light steel brown with darker steel toning on the highpoints and peeps of faded mint red on the reverse. E-MDS. There is a microscopic crack through the bottom of the date and die clashmarks on both sides, strongest on the reverse. This is the Noyes plate coin for the variety and was plated in the 1945 Newcomb sale catalog. Tied for finest known honors at net AU50 in the Noyes condition census.
     Ex Howard R. Newcomb-J.C. Morgenthau & Co. #458, 2/7/45:448-Willard C. Blaisdell 5/75-Denis W. Loring 5/20/75-C. Douglas Smith-Dr. Robert A. Schuman."

Recent appearances:
NGC EF-40.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries' Robert W. Schwan Collection Sale, October 26-27, 2000, Lot 150, "Sheldon-263, Small Date, Small Fraction Brown", not illustrated @ $552.00

EF-40 Dark.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Long Beach Signature Sale", May 31-June 2, 2001, Lot 5383, not illustrated, sold for $1,150.00 

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

Relevant collector organizations:
Early American Coppers Club