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Sale 80
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Lot 314
1796 JR-4, R-4. PCGS graded MS-63. Lovely blue and golden obverse toning. Frosty white on the reverse. Only 22,135 minted. A scarcer die pairing from this highly collectible premier issue, estimated to be about 10 percent of the present number of 1796 Dimes. It is one of the best struck die marriages for the year and can be identified 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.
An especially colorful lustrous Mint State 63, we might almost say that it is a benchmark for other examples that share this choice grade. While the strike is bold and crisp, it is not quite full, but only on the eagle’s chest feathers, elsewhere the design features are exceedingly sharp. None of the head or drapery details are left to the viewer's imagination, for instance. A word of caution here: hesitant bidders will promptly be left out in the cold when this attractive Draped Bust, Small Eagle classic hits the auction block.
The dime has long been an indispensable part of the United States decimal monetary system, although it was one of the last coins issued by the Mint when operations first began in 1793. By the time it arrived in 1796, as the Draped Bust/Small Eagle type, the Mint had already been striking copper cents and half cents for three years; silver dollars, half dollars and half dimes for two years; and 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.
The Draped Bust/Small Eagle design by Mint Chief Engraver Robert Scot features a rather fully formed portrait of Liberty, her fluid hair tamed somewhat by a ribbon and her bust covered with drapery, encircled by stars at the sides. The inscription LIBERTY appears above and the date below. The reverse depicts a small, spread-winged eagle perched upon clouds and surrounded by palm and olive branches. Encircling this is the motto UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Pieces dated 1796 have fifteen stars-one for each state in the Union then. In 1797 some dimes were struck with sixteen stars (reflecting Tennessee's admission as the 16th state) and some with thirteen, symbolizing the thirteen original states. Such dies were prepared after the Mint abandoned the idea of adding an extra star for each new state. Pop 13; 24 finer, 8 in 64, 6 in 65, 9 in 66, 1 in 68 (PCGS # 4461) .
Estimated Value $30,000-UP.
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| Realized $45,825 |
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