Finer than the Early United States Dimes 1796-1837 plate coin.Satiny luster frames the brilliant silver gray surfaces of this memorable dime. Examination reveals faint hints of toning on the reverse. The surfaces are consistent with the description in the JR book, which cites a generally shallow strike, some central weakness, and a granular appearance due to rusted or poorly polished die. The obverse is fairly well detailed, though lapping has removed a portion of the lowest curl. This followed heavy die clashing, of which some evidence remains. The overdate is visible to even the naked eye. A curved lint mark is visible across the edge of Libertys drapery; another nearby vertical mark also appears to have been from the moment of striking. The central reverse is fairly flat, but the star cluster is boldly defined, with nearly every star showing a complete center. No noteworthy marks are seen, though we mention an abrasion on Libertys shoulder. This reverse retains the distinctive 16 star layout, a crowded design concept that would be abandoned in 1797. This die, a leftover, was previously used on 1797 quarter eagles.This gem was collected by the connoisseur Ed Price as the finest he could locate in decades of searching, a period that included the sales of the Lovejoy, Bolen, Eliasberg, and other important collections. While there are a fair number of Mint State examples of this variety, most are fairly lifeless, devoid of natural surface, and not appealing. The attractive Eric P. Newman coin, off the market for generations, has recently been graded MS-65+ by PCGS, giving it a fractional point edge in the competition for finest known. The piece noted in the JR book as finest seen, ex Scanlon and Lovejoy, was graded MS-62 by NGC when it sold in 1990. This is clearly far finer.
