PCGS AU58
PCGS AU55
- PCGS #:
- 38800
- Designer:
- John Reich
- Edge:
- Reeded
- Diameter:
- 19.00 millimeters
- Weight:
- 2.70 grams
- Mintage:
- 1,186,512
- Mint:
- Philadelphia
- Metal:
- 89.2% Silver, 10.8% Copper
- Auction Record:
- $8,050 • MS64 • 08-11-2011 • Heritage Auctions
Condition Census What Is This?
| #1 MS63 estimated grade |
| #2 MS60 estimated grade |
| #2 MS60 estimated grade |
The 1821 Small Date Dime resulted from an interesting slip-up at the Mint. Instead of using the normal date punch for a Dime, the engraver picked up the date punch for a Quarter Eagle (the smallest-sized coin made in 1821). The result is an 1821 Dime with a date that is much smaller than normal, and which has a flat-base 2 instead of the usual curl-base. Surprisingly, three different obverse dies (out of eight) were made with the small date, resulting in three die varieties (LM-8, LM-9, and LM-10).
Of the three 1821 Small Date varieties, the JR-10 is the least common, but only by a small margin. In 1984 suggested the possibility that three Mint State examples of this variety existed, but the number may be higher today. The finest example appears to be a single PCGS MS64.
Sources and/or recommended reading: David J. Davis et al. Early United States Dime 1796-1837 (Ypsilanti, MI: John Reich Collectors Society, 1984).