1879 Liberty Seated Dime. Fortin-104a. Rarity-4. Repunched Date. MS-67 (PCGS). CAC.Lovely reddish-apricot and blue-gray toning is more extensive on the obverse, the colors framing a silver-tinged center on the reverse. The mint finish is full, vibrant and semi-prooflike in the fields. Here is an exceptionally well preserved Superb Gem with great eye appeal. Enough dimes were in circulation by the end of the 1870s that there was little need to strike new coins, allowing more focus to be given to production of Morgan silver dollars required by the Bland-Allison Act. In 1879, only the Philadelphia Mint produced dimes and even then it was just 14,000 circulation strikes. Amazingly, Gerry Fortin identified a total of five distinct die marriages, four of which were originally used for the generous Proof output of 1,100 coins. The perceived rarity of this issue (due to the small mintage) was recognized at the time and more than a few were set aside by dealers and collectors, resulting in a significant number of Choice and Gem Mint State surviving. Long recognized as a semi-key date issue, the 1879 remains one of the more popular of the later date Liberty Seated dimes. Superb Gem specimens are quite elusive and are often tightly held in advanced cabinets.<p>PCGS# 4687. NGC ID: 23AS.PCGS Population: 30; 9 finer (MS-68+ finest).<p>CAC Population: 15; 4.From the Collection of James Allaire Millholland, 1842-1911.
