The Unique 1796 JR-7 Dime, Fair Details

1796 10C Fair Details, Obverse Graffiti, Improperly Cleaned, NCS. JR-7, R.8. Both sides have light gray surfaces with light hairlines. The date is entirely complete and the bust is outlined, although LIBERTY is absent. A few stars remain visible. On the reverse, the right branch, bow, and eagle are mostly outlines, while the left branch and all lettering are missing. The peripheral obverse has old scrapes, and both sides, especially the obverse, have scratches and graffiti. With the visible date, lower curl, and bottom edge of the bust, enough detail remains to recognize the obverse as a previously unknown die.

Die State. The reverse exhibits cracks that appear on examples of JR-5.

Condition Census. Such as it is, this example is the only one known.

Appearances. This is the first public offering of the 1796 JR-7 dime.

Obverse Die. The 7 is low and tilted clockwise toward the 9. The space between the 7 and 9 is less than any other obverse. Star 15 is clearly separated from the drapery. The LI are parallel, unapparent looking at the coin, but some photographs bring out the shadow of LI.
States unknown.

Reverse Die. Leaf tip below right base of A in STATES, diagnostic. The left branch has 17 leaves and four berries, and the right branch has 13 leaves. The two outer berries are on stems that appear to grow out of leaves. They are positioned below the upright of E and three-fourths of the distance from D to S. All leaves in the left branch are separated from the letters. In the right branch, a leaf joins the base of E just right of center, and another joins the right base of the I. AME are extremely close with M slightly high. All other letters are well-spaced.
State a. Perfect. State b. A faint die crack extends from the tip of the upper right leaf, toward the final S. State c. Heavy clash marks. State d. Cracked from the tail feathers to the third feather of the right wing.

Heritage Commentary. The reverse die is the same as JR-4 and JR-5, in a later die state than JR-4. It remains unknown if the new die marriage was struck before or after JR-5. Brian Greer discovered the 1796 JR-7 in November 2002. This example is the discovery coin and remains the only example known.

Consignor Commentary. Brian [Greer] discovered this variety in the fall of 2002. Several experts, including Russ Logan, agreed that it was a Mint product and a new variety. Brian's ability to spot rare varieties is well known. But this case is particularly remarkable. The condition is dismal. The reverse is struck from a known die. The obverse requires careful study to identify it as a new die. Brian recognized that it was worthy of study and then figured out that it seemed different. Brian called me and described the coin. I was very skeptical. But I had worked with Brian before and knew that his understanding of varieties was exceptionally strong and that he was experienced in looking at low grade coins. He agreed to send it to me. I photographed it and studied it for weeks. With Brian's permission, I sent it to Russ Logan who finally agreed that it was a new variety and returned it to Brian. Brian had several other experts look at the coin to confirm that it is a Mint product and a new variety. Finally, with Stu Levine's assistance, we agreed on a price and I purchased the coin.

Provenance. Brian Greer (1/2003), via Stuart Levine.
From The Ed Price Collection.(Registry values: P7) (#4461)

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