Amazing Double Struck 1802 JR-3 Dime, Fair 2

1802 10C Double Struck Fair 2 PCGS. CAC. JR-3, R.6. PCGS overlooked the double strike that is visible on both sides of this piece. Deep and natural steel-gray toning has a brownish tint. The obverse has a fully outlined bust with a full date, partial LIBERTY, and a few remaining stars. The reverse has the eagle nearly entirely outlined with most letters in the legend fully visible. Although a few faint imperfections may account for the lower grade, we feel that this piece is at least AG3.

Evidence of the double strike is clearly visible on both sides. A clear outline of the original bust is visible above the second bust on this rotated double strike. An extra 8 from the date is visible just right of the final date. The reverse legend reads ITEDTEDSTATESTES.

Appearances. Plated in the 1976 New England catalog.

Obverse Die. Tip of the hair curl is under the center of the B. Star 1 is distant from the hair curl, star 13 is closer to the drapery, and stars 7 and 8 are each very close to the L and Y. The 1 is close to the lower curl, and the 2 is about centered between the bust and border. The stars are all separated with star pairs 2-3 and 5-6 closer than the others. LIBERTY is evenly spaced with all letters separated and the L slightly low.
State a. Faint clash marks at the throat and a die line at upper right. State b. The die line is weak, probably due to die lapping.

Reverse Die. All three E's have their upper left serif missing and extended by hand. No letters in the legend are joined. The U is slightly low with its bottom very close to an arrow shaft. D is close to the fourth feather but clearly separated. Letters in STATES OF are centered between the border and clouds. The upright of the E is over a cloud space. AMER and CA are close with the final A very close to the claw. A leaf joins the base of I, right of center. The upper inside berry is stemless. The outer arrow point is slightly left of the left base of N, with the longest arrow below the inside foot of the left upright. Star 12 touches the ribbon and upper beak, and star 13 is isolated in the field.
State a. A short die crack or die scratch joins the second feather on the right with the left side of first A in AMERICA.

Heritage Commentary. New England Rare Coin Auctions accurately described this example as: "An attractive ABOUT GOOD-3 specimen that is completely double struck obverse and reverse. The date reads "18028", the legend reads "UNITEDTE STATESTES OFMERICA", and many other features are double struck with about a 30° rotation. One faint obverse hairline scratch, but otherwise defect free and very attractive for the grade. This error is unique to our knowledge." Today, three decades later, we are unable to add anything meaningful to their accurate description, except to say that we are still unaware of any other double struck 1802 dimes. In 1976, this piece broke the $300 barrier. We are certain it will bring more today!

Consignor Commentary. This is another remarkable error that I enjoy as much as the finest known example of the variety.

Provenance. New England Rare Coin Auctions (12/1976), lot 456; William L. Subjack (1/1992)
From The Ed Price Collection.(Registry values: P7) (#4472)

View Entire Collection
View large image(s) of this item

Shipping Description: Coins & Currency (view shipping information)