Lot 447
1796 Draped Bust Dime. . JR-4. PCGS graded AU-58. Lovely shades of gold and blue toning. Only 22,135 struck for this first year of issue. Although the dime is a key component of America's decimal coinage scheme, it was one of the last coins issued by the United States Mint when operations first began. By the time it made its debut in 1796, as the Draped Bust/Small Eagle dime, the Mint had already been making copper cents and half cents for three years; silver dollars, half dollars and half dimes for two years; and even two gold coins -- the eagle and half eagle -- for a year. The only other coins delayed, like the dime, until 1796, were the quarter dollar and quarter eagle.
A splendid rich honey-golden AU with residual luster and, because of the untouched, tamper-free state of the fields and devices, a coin displaying grand eye appeal. A hint of weakness at the eagle's breast and leg as typically seen, though all other design detail is extra sharp. As said, the obverse is a honey-gold color; the reverse extends that to include a splash of lovely blue and aquamarine iridescence in the center, providing yet another dimension of beauty and allure to the solid composition! Pop 23; 52 finer. (PCGS # 4461) .
Die note: A scarcer die pairing from this highly collectible premier issue of the Draped Bust, Small Eagle, estimated to represent about 10 percent of the surviving population of 1796 Dimes. It is one of the best produced die marriages for the year and can be recognized by the tips of leaves being aligned with the edges of the A in STATES and the F in OF. Additionally, the TY in LIBERTY is joined at the top of the letters.
Estimated Value $18,000 - 19,000.
The Mark Gordon Collection.
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| Realized $18,400 |
