Finest seen of the JR-2 variety, according to the JR Book.By far the rarer of the two varieties struck this year, coined from a single obverse die and two different reverses. Toned medium gray with hints of gold, a bit more richly colored on reverse than obverse but even in appearance on both sides. The reverse retains splendid cartwheel, and the obverse is likewise lustrous and satiny. Some fine hairlines are seen on the obverse, but no heavy marks, just minor evidence of handling. The reverse is free of distractions and would be considered a grade higher in the days of split grading. A series of dot-like die injuries, arranged into a few neat lines in the right obverse field, are likely spalling, chipping of the die face. The reverse die is likewise damaged, with an impressive arc die crack from the lower right side of the shield through E of AMERICA, along with more spalling in that vicinity. Mostly well struck, but for star 4 in the reverse star cluster, the star the JR book identifies as always very weak.While the authors of the JR book mention that two or three [are known] in MS-60 or possibly better condition, they also state this variety is very hard to locate above F-12. Bareford lacked this variety entirely, while the Lovejoy coin (plated in the JR book) was EF. The only other MS-61 (PCGS) 1801 JR-2 is Ed Price:1428. The other 1801 dimes in PCGS Mint State grades are all from the JR-1 die marriage, a significantly more common variety.
