Rare Terminal State 1802 JR-4 Dime, XF Details

1802 10C XF Details, Scratched, NCS. JR-4, R.4. While weak at the centers, most details are sharply evident on this medium gray example. The peripheries display light gold toning. Minor obverse and reverse scratches are mentioned by NCS, but the die state enthusiast will be so enamored by the retained cud that the scratches will not even be noticed.

Die State. Apparently the latest known die state with a heavy crack through star 7, curving below LIB, and continuing through the E to the border. The area above this crack is raised slightly, forming a retained cud. Note that most of star 7, above the crack, is entirely flat, and the small star point below the crack actually shows three-dimensional detail.

Condition Census. By far the finest known late die state 1802 JR-4 dime.

Appearances. Plated in the 1976 Stack's catalog.

Obverse Die. Tip of the hair curl is under the right curves of the B. Stars 1, 7, 8, and 13 are all distant from the devices. Stars 8 and 9 are slightly closer than other star pairs. The 1 is close to the lowest curl and the 2 is about centered between the bust and the border. LIBERTY is widely spaced with all letters separated.
State a. Perfect. State b. Cracked through star 7, below LI, and back through BE. State c. The area above the star b crack has raised to form a retained cud.

Reverse Die. Lower beak pierces star 12. All three E's are missing their upper left serif. U is much closer to an arrow shaft than to border. First S is low. Upright of E is over space between clouds 4 and 5. Left base of first A in AMERICA is extremely close to third and fourth feathers. Bases of ME are joined and RI are very close. Final A is distant from both the claw and lowest leaf. Five berries in branch with three lowest berries free of leaves. A leaf tip ends just right of base of I but does not touch. Outer arrow point is below right edge of U. Arrows extend below center of left upright of N. Thirteen stars with normal arrangement of six in the top row and five below. Star 2 is separated from clouds and below left base of A. Star 7 is left of vertical below star 2. Star 12 joins upper and lower points of beak. Star 13 is high above scroll and points to left upright of U.
State a. Perfect.

Heritage Commentary. The obverse die was only used for this single variety, no doubt taken out of service after the retained cud formed through LIBE. In addition to its use on an 1802 quarter eagle, the reverse is the same die that was used for the famous 1804 13 Stars dime and quarter eagle rarities. Clearly the most plentiful 1802 variety, and yet only a little over 100 examples are known in all grades.

Consignor Commentary. This coin is the finest late die state I have seen or heard of. I have seen about half a dozen of these late die state coins. Except for this one, all have been VG or lower grade. Once in a while, one will be described as a cud--meaning that a piece of the die has fallen out. None of the ones I have seen are actually a cud--they are just well worn examples with the massive obverse crack.

Provenance. Stack's (10/1976), lot 325; William L. Subjack (1/1992).
From The Ed Price Collection.(Registry values: P7) (#4472)

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