1823/2 Capped Bust Dime. JR-1. Rarity-3. Small Es. MS-64+ (PCGS). CAC.A charming example with full satin luster and vivid honey-gold peripheral toning. Boldly to sharply struck throughout, this is a Condition Census example from the 1823 JR-1 dies. This issue has an extant population of 1,250 to 2,000 pieces in all grades (per Winston Zack et al., 2015), which means that it is among the more frequently encountered Capped Bust dimes of the Wide Border design type. Three die marriages are known, using two overdated obverse dies and two reverse dies, one with small Es in the legend and the other with large Es. JR-1 is the median rarity in this trio and, while it is not all that difficult to locate in circulated grades through VF, examples grading finer can be elusive. pThis specimen is an old friend of ours that we have handled several times over the past four decades, most notably as part of the Bareford (1981) and Lovejoy (1990) Collections. It is among the finest known, and it was actually described as "the finest seen" in the 1984 early dime reference by the John Reich Collectors Society. Plated therein, and with an impressive provenance, this lovely near-Gem would serve as a highlight in an advanced early dime set. Just three coins have been certified finer by PCGS, making it an absolute necessity for advanced Registry Set participants.From Numismatic Gallerys Adolphe Menjou Collection sale, June 1950, lot 172; our (Stacks) sale of the Harold Bareford Collection, October 1981, lot 164; our (Stacks) sale of the Allen F. Lovejoy Reference Collection of United States Dimes: 1792-1945, October 1990, lot 63. The plate coin for the variety in the 1984 early dime reference by the John Reich Collectors Society.
