1839 Liberty Seated Dime. No Drapery. MS-66+ (PCGS). CAC.A premium Gem that really needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. Both sides are richly and originally toned, the obverse with iridescent steel-blue on a base of pearl-gray. For the reverse cobalt blue and reddish-gold iridescence surrounds a brilliant center. Intensely lustrous and virtually pristine, a razor sharp strike adds to the incredible eye appeal.<p><p>The 1839 dime was struck in depths of the Hard Times era, a major financial depression that affected the nation throughout much of the 1830s and the early years of the 1840s. This issue has a mintage of 1,053,115 pieces, achieved through the pairing of at least three obverse dies and eight reverse dies. 1839 also proved to be the last year of the original Gobrecht/Peale/Sully Liberty Seated design, which featured a more delicate composition than the modified hub that was used beginning in 1840. On these early dimes, the rock upon which Liberty is seated has a more naturalistic look and the shield rests at an angle, but the most obvious difference between the two hubs is the absence of drapery on Libertys arm.<p>The issue is generally well struck, though quite a few are known with weak or uneven strikes most evident on the high points of the shield. The dies saw hard use, with many showing extensive die breaks that created varieties that are popular with specialists. Even if they were not cracked, some dies show heavy wear especially along the denticles. Found in a wide range of grades, an estimated one-fifth of the 1,000 or so extant specimens may be found Mint State, primarily in the Choice levels of preservation. Gems, while available, are quite rare, and only very few survive above the MS-65 level.PCGS# 4571. NGC ID: 237X.PCGS Population: 2; 10 finer (MS-68 finest).<p>CAC Population: 7; 6. The former total includes coins certified both MS-66 and MS-66+.From the Collection of James Allaire Millholland, 1842-1911.