Iridescent golden-gray and, to a lesser extent, steel-russet highlights drift over soft satiny mint luster. The quality of strike is far superior to that typically seen for a Small Eagle Draped Bust dime, especially given that this is a late die state example of the 1797 JR-1 dies. Minor softness of detail along the left obverse border is hardly worth mentioning, while the sharp to full detail in most other areas is certainly worthy of praise. Uncommonly smooth at the MS-61 grade level. Discerning type collectors and early dime variety enthusiasts are sure to compete vigorously for the honor of securing this coin. A bisecting obverse die crack from border to border through the bottom of Libertys bust and along the top of the date is noted. This crack is diagnostic of the variety, and it is seen here in its earlier state before causing extensive sinking of the die in the date area.The second year 1797 is the rarer and more conditionally challenging of just two issues in the Draped Bust, Small Eagle dime series. Although Mint records report that 25,261 dimes were delivered during calendar year 1797, it is likely that some of those coins were struck from 1796-dated dies. The mintage of 1797-dated examples, therefore, is almost certainly less than that reported. With the first year 1796 satisfying what little contemporary interest there was in setting aside an example of the new nations initial dime production, fewer high grade examples of the 1797 have come down to the present day. In fact, there are probably no more than 300 examples of this issue extant in all grades, and the vast majority are circulated to one degree or another.The two die marriages that make up the 1797-dated issue are easily distinguished by looking at the number of stars on the obverse (both share the same reverse). JR-1, represented here, is the 16 stars variety and was likely struck first since the Mint later defaulted to using just 13 stars to represent the original colonies as opposed to trying to add a new star every time another state joined the Union. Although a bit more plentiful in Mint State than its JR-2 counterpart, JR-1 is very rare at the offered level, even more so than current certified population data might suggest. Many resubmissions are likely included therein, and the authors of the 2015 reference <em>Bust Dime Variety Attribution Guide</em> (Winston Zack, Louis Scuderi, Michael Sherrill) account for only six or so Uncirculated survivors. An equally important find for the advanced type collector and early dime variety enthusiast.,,PCGS# 38748.,PCGS Population (16 Stars variety only): 2; 7 finer MS-66 finest).,
