1797 Draped Bust Dime. JR-2. Rarity-4. 13 Stars. VF-35 (PCGS).A predominately slate-grey example with hints of golden iridescence surrounding the devices. The strike is impressively bold, showing a slight softness to the upper stars that is typical of this variety. An old mark along Libertys ear remains well hidden, and the overall eye appeal is pleasing. By a slight margin, JR-2 is considered the scarcer of the two varieties of the 1797 dime. The JR-1 variety marked the end of the policy of adding a star to the obverse for every state in the Union, as the addition of Tennessee in 1796 had made the obverses of the silver and gold coins appear entirely too crowded. This variety is the first of the new design, featuring 13 stars, an aspect that would remain constant for over a century.
