Lot 1285
1802 Draped Bust Dime. . JR-4. Rarity-4. NGC graded AU-55. Housed in NGC holder 1974947-001. This is a well-balanced example with a lot of "meat" left to the devices despite the presence of a bit of high point rub. In fact, the detail is bold in all areas save for in the centers, where the strike was softer than it is elsewhere. An important aspect is that this coin is well centered on the planchet, with remarkably smooth-looking surfaces for an early U.S. Mint product that spent actual time in commercial channels. Excellent eye-appeal, as well, which goes a long way to recommending it to specialized collectors. For the toning, blushes of apricot and blue-gray hug the periphery interrupting an otherwise even silver-gray gloss. All of which goes to qualifying it for low-Condition Census ranking. In review, this original AU example is an important example of a key-date draped bust, heraldic eagle dime.
Discounting individual die marriages, the 1802 is the second-rarest early dime after the 1804. The Philadelphia Mint delivered a mere 10,975 pieces, probably because bullion depositors other denominations than the dime in 1802.
Beginning in 1798 and continuing through 1807, the United States Mint struck draped bust dimes using a heraldic eagle reverse design. The most plentiful issue from this era is the 1807, which is also popular among type collectors due to its final-year status. The rarest is the 1804, which was produced to the extent of just 8,265 pieces. The Type as a whole is actually quite scarce, as all issues have original mintages of far fewer than 100,000 coins with the dual exception of the 1805 and 1807. Pop 1; none finer at NGC. (PCGS # 4472) .
Estimated Value $12,000 - 14,000.
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