60
|
Dimes
Enlargement
315
1796 JR-5, R-5. PCGS graded Genuine AU Details
.
Repaired. Nice even grey toning. Rarity-5. Two berries under
upright of the E in UNITED, first star touches a curl. According
to the standard Early United States Dimes reference, JR-5 is the
"rarest 1796 variety."
Thomas Jefferson had called for a one-tenth dollar coin as far
back as 1783, as part of a proposed decimal system. He was
joined in his advocacy by Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamil-
ton and the man who would become the first mint director, emi-
nent scientist David Rittenhouse. The decimal system was
gradually gaining acceptance for use with calculations, but it
had not yet been used for any nation's monetary structure. The
founding fathers believed that not only was decimal coinage an
efficient, workable method for commerce, but it also symbolized
a break from the Old World.
Hamilton, the nation's first treasury secretary, bolstered this
view in 1791 in his formal report to Congress, outlining a plan
for a national mint and coinage. He recommended the issuance
of coins in six denominations-including a silver piece "which
shall be, in weight and value, one tenth part of a silver unit or
dollar." He suggested that the dollar be called the "unit," with its
tenth part being known as simply a "tenth."
1796 is the first year of issue. Six die marriages are reported.
(
PCGS # 4461
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$4,000 - 4,500
M
INT
S
TATE
1797 D
RAPED
B
UST
D
IME
Enlargement
316
1797 JR-1 Rarity 4
.
PCGS graded MS-61
.
16 Stars
.
Frosty and mostly untoned on both sides. The 1797 Dimes
comprise two main varieties, with 16 Stars and 13 Stars
obverses, the latter issued after Mint personnel became
aware of the fact that to continue adding stars as new
states joined the Union would prove futile. Only a single
reverse die was used with both obverses, producing the
two varieties known for this date. The present MS61 coin
has 16 Stars and is listed as JR-1; it is better struck than
usually seen, showing excellent motifs with only negligible
softness in the centers. Marks are present only in a small
number of areas; the only contact of note is a short plan-
chet depression at the top of Liberty's breast. The satiny
surfaces display a mere veil of golden-gray patina on either
side, producing an attractive Mint State example of this
very scarce early dime die combination. Sure to endear
itself Early Dime specialist.
Pop 2; 7 finer, 3 in 62, 1 in
64, 1 in 65, 2 in 66
. (
PCGS # 38748
)
Estimated Value .................................... $28,000 - 30,000
1802 D
RAPED
B
UST
D
IME
Enlargement
317
1802
.
PCGS graded AU-53
. Traces of golden mint luster
are quite evident, mixed with natural antique tones.
Only
10,975 struck. Pop 2; 11 finer at PCGS.
(
PCGS #
4472
)
Estimated Value .................................... $12,000 - 13,000
318
1805. 4 berries. JR-2
.
PCGS graded VF-20
. Lovely light
blue toning. Attractive surfaces and appearance. (
PCGS #
4477
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$1,300 - 1,400
