1852 $10 Moffat & Co., Close Date AU58 Certification #36820293, PCGS #10252

Ron Guth

1852 Moffat $10s come with either a Close, Even date or a Wide, Uneven date.  Unfortunately, the two dates are difficult to tell apart, especially if the two varieties are not available for side-by-side comparison.  A better way to tell the two varieties is to look at the position of the lowest star on the right.  On the close, even date variety the star is distant from the bust and at least a full date's-width away from the date.  On the wide, uneven date, the star is much closer to the bust and maybe a digit or two away from the date.

The Close, Even Date variety is very scarce.  The reported mintage was a mere 8,650 coins, most of which have been lost or destroyed over the years.  Virtually all of the known examples are circulated, mostly in Very Fine and Extremely Fine.  Other than a single NGC MS60, no other Mint State examples are known.