Lot 1177
The Pittman 1797 Dime. NGC graded MS-66. An old saw perhaps, but it bears restating that JJP never bought junk, although he collected mostly in an era when collectors cared little for extra quality when it cost more. He also was famous for his "eye," and this coin, like many others of his, shows what a good eye he really had. Unlike most 1797 dimes, indeed most silver of this period, his 1797 had no adjustments marring its designs, had no problems with lack of detail, and wasn't "messed with." Thus it boasts really nice originality atop design elements that lack nothing in their details. Even the denticles are well defined. The obverse color is an oldtime, "set" gray with delicate amber highlights. While the obverse is a tad mottled, the reverse comes across as a miniature work of art. Standing upon its cloud, the eagle seems to peer at you, its nostril flaring, its eye piercing, and its talons grabbing at the illusion of firm ground. The original toning here is a delightful pale golden gray, with hues of lavender, all "backlit" with luster that seems a sun trying to emerge from a gloomy day. Because of this, the symbolism of the design seems even more intense than usual--that of a struggling yet fierce new nation seeking freedom and to emerge from its dark past. In a word, quite a coin, this JJP 1797 dime! Population: NGC has graded just this one piece MS66, and no others above MS64. PCGS shows a single MS66 of this variety, and no others above MS61 of the 16-stars variety.
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