LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 (ANA) Signature Coin Auction #444  / 

1615

1796 10C MS65 PCGS

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:60,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1796 10C MS65 PCGS
<B>1796 10C MS65 PCGS.</B></I> JR-1, R.3. LIBERTY is medium wide and unevenly spaced, with recutting showing on the left sides of the upright of L and I and on the right side of the upright of T. The bases of IB are closer than at their tops. The first curl is close to the digit 1 in the date. The most obvious identifier, of course, for this obverse is the large die cud break at star 1, which fills two star points and the area below them to the rim for a distance of about four denticle widths.<BR> On the reverse there are 17 leaves left and 13 right, but of all the letters in the reverse legend only the third E, in AMERICA, touches a leaf. A leaf point terminates beneath the O, and no letters touch. The eagle's left (facing) wing touches a rock. <BR> <I>Early United States Dimes 1796-1837 </B></I>names this as the "most common" 1796 variety, adding that about 40%-45% of all 1796s are of this die pairing. Of course, such terms as "most common," just like "most rare," are sometimes bandied about injudiciously in numismatics, and both must be used with a studied sense of perspective. The Mint recorded 22,135 dimes of this first issue, and there are six known die pairings for the date that range from scarce (R.3) to rare (R.5). Assuming a survival rate of perhaps 2%, that means that 443 coins survive in all grades. The 1796 dimes have long been among the most popular in American numismatics, not only because of their first-year status but also because they share, with the 1797 pieces, status as a two-year type coin with the Draped Bust, Small Eagle design. Of course, the year is also one of fabulous rarities, including the 1796 half dollars and the 1796 quarters, and it is also the first year that all five silver denominations from half dime through silver dollar were coined at the fledgling Mint.<BR> A look through our permanent auction archives reveals that only nine times in the past dozen-plus years have we offered a Gem or finer 1796 dime, regardless of variety. PCGS has certified three pieces as MS65, with eight pieces in MS66 and a single MS67, all undesignated as to variety (7/07).<BR> The present example boasts flashy silver-gold surfaces with a bit of smoke-gold patina present on each side. Bold die clash marks are characteristic of the variety, as are the numerous die cracks/cud seen on each side, although they have not yet advanced to the terminal, latest state known. A few light adjustment marks appear on the eagle's breast.<BR> <BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> Robert Scot<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>\)
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