Lot 197
1797. 13 stars. JR-2, Rarity 4. NGC graded AU-55. Lovely old time antique gold and gray toning on both sides, and free of any distracting marks or adjustments. The strike is fairly sharp for this rare and desirable issue. It is generally understood that the first obverse die used had the 16 stars representing the addition of Tennessee to the Union in June of 1796. However, all 1796 dimes have 15 stars on the obverse, and were likely engraved prior to June of that year. As these smaller coins were designed it was determined in 1797 that continuing to add stars made the designs too busy, so the original 13 stars became the standard. Hence after the first obverse die cracked with 16 stars in 1797, this second obverse die was created, using only 13 stars. Furthermore the 9 in the date has a knob on the bottom, whereas the prior 16 star die had a pointed 9 in the date. The same reverse die was used to strike both die parings in 1797. Some luster visible. Only 15,017 struck. Pop 4; 2 finer, 1 in 58, 1 in 64. Estimated Value $20,000 - UP
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