Lot 1281
1796 Draped Bust Dime. NGC graded MS-63. Well struck. Fully lustrous with stuning natural toning featuring a blending of pale violet, gold and steel blue with a hint of orridecense. We note some fine adjustment marks well hidden in the obverse centers. NGC holder 596631-003. The so-called "hyphenated date" because of the die crack through the date. This is from a late stage of the obverse die where extensive breaks are found from the rim to the hair and then curving down to the date and back to the stars on the left. A magnificent example of our first dime. Pop 18; 33 finer.
While 1796 Mint State dimes are not the rarest stars in the numismatic firmament -- a number seem to have been saved as first of the series -- they are nevertheless rare this choice, incorporating all the desirable features of toning, strike, die peculiarities, and numerical grade. A two-year only design, the obverse features Robert Scot's draped bust figure of Liberty facing right, her hair tied with a ribbon at the back, and drapery folds along the lower bust. Scot's reverse features a small eagle standing on clouds, with two branches of a wreath to either side. No denomination appears. The rim is reeded or "milled" in a separate process before the coin was struck.
Estimated Value $20,000 - 22,000.
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