1798 Draped Bust Dime. JR-3. Rarity-5+. Small 8. EF-40 (PCGS). An overall sharply defined example that is boldly and attractively toned in dominant pewter and steel-gray. There are vivid undertones of cobalt blue, antique gold and satin pink iridescence, and also considerable luster in a blend of frosty and semi-prooflike qualities. Boldly defined overall with only light wear consistent with the EF grade from PCGS, and no singularly mentionable marks.<p>JR-3 vies with JR-2 as the scarcest die pairing of the 1798-dated Draped Bust dime issue. According to Winston Zack, Louis Scuderi and Michael Sherrill (2015), only 30 or so coins are believed extant from the 1798 JR-3 dies. This is one of the finer examples that we have handled over the years, and the highest graded since our May 2015 offering of the fabulous D. Brent Pogue specimen (ex Eliasberg-Price) in PCGS MS-65. PCGS# 4467. NGC ID: 236E. PCGS Population: 2; 8 finer, three of which are Mint State (MS-65 finest). From Heritages Long Beach Signature Auction of September 2007, lot 917.
