This handsome piece is toned in a blend of rich steel-blue, antique gold and pewter gray. Quite well struck for a Draped Bust silver coin, we note uniformly bold denticulation around both sides and sharp detail to many of the design elements. The center of the reverse shield is a bit lightly struck, easily explained by a concentration of light adjustment marks (as made) in that area. An extremely faint pin scratch from the top of the ribbon toward the letter I in LIBERTY is noted, but with a generally smooth appearance otherwise, this coin is very close to near-Gem status.On June 1, 1796, Tennessee was admitted to the Union, becoming the nations 16th state. While the Mint tried to accommodate the additional star, the attempts were cumbersome. Such was the case of the Heraldic Eagle reverse die used for the 1797 quarter eagle where the 16 tiny stars were crammed into the space surrounding the eagles head. Mint Director Elias Boudinot quickly abandoned the idea in 1797 and dies prepared afterward show only 13 stars. Die steel was at a premium in the early days of the Mint and Robert Scot repurposed this same die for the JR-1 dime die pair in 1798. The obverse is of equal interest courtesy of the conspicuous overdate. An unusually small 8 punch was used in an attempt to cover the 7, but the size differential between the two numerals is so dramatic that the 7 is barely concealed at all. Fortunately for numismatists, the JR-1 1798/7 dime is also one of the most available of the four die pairs employed that year, second only to the JR-4 Large 8 variety. In Mint State, the JR-1 is the most available of all the 1798 dime varieties making is a very popular choice for early type specialists as well as dime connoisseurs.,,PCGS# 38750.,PCGS Population: 1; 10 finer through MS-65+.,
