This is an expertly preserved, beautifully toned Gem dime. Both sides display peripheral iridescence of rose-gold, electric blue and violet that yields to brilliant centers. Boldly struck for this challenging early U.S. Mint type, with satin luster to silky smooth surfaces.There are four known die marriages of the 1798-dated Draped Bust dime, each being so distinct as to warrant its own separate variety in the Guide Book. JR-1, as offered here, is the only one of these marriages that displays 16 stars in the upper reverse field between the eagle and clouds, making it easy to identify and especially popular with collectors. The 16 stars on the reverse were in keeping with the Mints short-lived policy of adding a new star to coin dies as states joined the Union. Mint Director Elias Boudinot abandoned this idea as futile in 1797, and the only reason that the 1798/7 JR-1 variety displays 16 stars is because its reverse die was originally prepared in 1797 and used to strike all known quarter eagles of that date. Cross denomination use of reverse dies was quite common during the earliest years of U.S. Mint operations, the dime and quarter eagle, for example, being similar in size and design and displaying no mention of the denomination.This is the single finest 1798/7 JR-1 dime known to PCGS. The current online version of the NGC Census lists three examples of this die marriage in MS-66 (none are finer), but we have only been able to positively identify two different coins in that grade. In the opinion of your cataloger, neither of the NGC MS-66 examples of which we are aware are as aesthetically pleasing as the Cardinal Collection specimen in PCGS MS-65+. Arguably the finest and most appealing 1798/7 JR-1 dime extant, this Gem will certainly find its way into another important numismatic cabinet.
