1796 Draped Bust Dime. JR-4. Rarity-4. VF-30 (PCGS). A pleasing example of this iconic first-year issue. Subtle peach patina across the high points is accented by teal blue iridescence at the borders. An old mark is noted at Libertys forehead but has long toned into the complexion. Incredibly bold for the assigned grade, this piece had been certified VF-35 by both PCGS and NGC in earlier auction appearances. One of 22,135 examples of the date produced in the first year of the denomination. Surprisingly, there are six different die combinations known for the date. This Draped But, Small Eagle combination was used in just 1796 and 1797; in 1798 the design type changed to a Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle reverse style. Ex Heritages sale of August 2000, lot 6927; Heritages sale of November 2003, lot 5951; Heritages sale of the Ed Lepordo Collection, Part I, February 2009, lot 878;