Pre-Long Beach Auction #84

1807. JR-1, Rarity 2. PCGS graded MS-65. The only known die pairing for the year. This lot features stunning quality for the specialist who demands a Gem Uncirculated Draped Bust dime. Each side presents ample luster to please the eye, with a frosty presence rarely found on early dimes. The centers are snow-white with some natural patina that has formed at the borders. The strike is typical for an 1807 dime, with Liberty's curls boldly defined as well as the eagle, but the peripheral lettering and dentils are soft in areas, as virtually always seen. The Philadelphia Mint was able to stretch the life out on this die pair, striking the entire mintage of 1807 dimes as well as a considerable number of quarter eagles also employing the same reverse die.

Both sides show considerable evidence of die clashing in the fields and these natural hallmarks of coinage help numismatists piece together the production sequence as the life of the dies progresses. Notice the shield lines near Liberty's ear, clashed into her neck and hair, other clashing evidence includes the small olive branch before her face and the eagle's wings in the obverse fields. In an attempt to reduce the evidence of clashing, caused by the dies coming together without a blank planchet between them, the dies were lapped by filing or smoothing the fields, reducing the depth of the devices and in this particular case, nearly eliminating the dentils and much of the star depth on the obverse. The vast majority of 1807 dimes show these features. Many of these coins were simply handled too much over the years to retain the degree of flash and appeal shown here. All Mint State Draped Bust coinage is rare today, with Gems like the present piece exceptionally desirable.
Pop 4; none finer at PCGS for the variety. (PCGS # 38770) .
Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000.