Pale gold with touches of light blue toning. Central obverse and lower reverse show some weakness. A minor rim bruise is evident just below star 1. This is an extremely rare variety that was listed as Rarity-7 in the Dime Book and now is considered Rarity-6. In Russ Logan's copy of the Dime Book is a roster of exactly 13 known specimens, thus this just misses retaining its Rarity-7 rating. We are not publishing this roster due to the confidentiality of collectors named, most of which have not provided permission to make their names known. We also do not know when this information was prepared, however, assume it is relatively recent as two transactions are from April and October 2000. This is clearly the rarest variety of the year with the present example apparently the finest known, based on Logan's record.
Russ Logan considered this just AU-50, while Stack's called this "Brilliant Uncirculated, or a bit better," and NGC had certified this as MS-63! Regardless of how you grade this coin, it appears to be the finest known. Only eight examples were listed in the Dime Census with just one other coin recorded as AU-50. This is one of just five Capped Bust dime varieties currently rated higher than Rarity-5.
In the Dime Book, this coin was incorrectly plated over the description for JR-13, and the pedigree was included for that variety as well.
Previously certified as MS-63 by NGC.
This obverse die was used earlier for JR-11. The reverse die was used later for JR-13.
Perfect obverse with prominent reverse clash marks.
From Stack’s sale of the Lovejoy Collection, October 1990, Lot 49. Earlier from Stack's sale of the T. Henry Allen Collection, February 1977, Lot 148.