Dave Wnuck wrote:
I recently purchased this coin (image below). Both sides have hard mirrored surfaces, and the devices are frosty. The coin is quite hairlined, but in hand the coin looks like a no question proof to the naked eye. I don't believe this is a proof (they don't exist for 1837), but I am wondering if this was one of the coins that was called a proof by auction catalogers in earlier times.
The photos are courtesy of the PCGS TrueView service.
I'm wondering if JR Newsletter readers have seen similar fully prooflike exampled of this variety.
Sincerely,
Dave Wnuck
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Jim Matthews wrote:
I have placed a number of interesting Capped Bust Dimes in the Great Collections auction (greatcollections.com) that closes after 8 PM Eastern Time (5 PM Pacific Time) today. There are some tougher die marriages, as well as a few late retained cuds to tempt buyers who have an interest in such things.
I’ve included an 1820 STATESOF JR-1 dime in PCGS XF40, which is a tough die marriage and a lot scarcer than the 1814 STATESOF dime in my experience. Also included is a nice but low grade example of the rare 1820 JR-12, R-5+ in PCGS AG03—PCGS has only graded 7 examples of this variety with the attribution on the holder (there are likely others without the attribution too, but not many).
I sent along a scarce 1827 JR-9 that’s graded PCGS VF25; this is a die marriage that is scarce in grades above fine, with PCGS having graded only 7 of these in all grades. I also consigned an 1827 JR-12 in NGC VG-08 from the Jules Reiver Collection—hard to believe the Reiver auction was over 12 years ago now, but his coins always have a special place in my heart.
In addition, there’s a pleasing 1831 JR-5 with a very late retained cud at UNI in PCGS VG-08, a popular issue when the cud is found this advanced. Check out the image, and you can see where a piece of that reverse die was just about gone from the rim to the tops of UNI.
Next in line is the 1832 JR-3 from the Eric P. Newman Collection, graded NGC AU58 CAC. This coin also shows advanced cracks and a retained cud on the lower right reverse at the arrows. Eric Newman wrote on his coin storage envelope (included with this lot) “Extraordinary die break on reverse which must have destroyed the entire bottom of the die. Very fine. $3.00” Newman clearly liked this coin too!
Another rarity (R-5+) is of the 1833 JR-3 in PCGS VG08. PCGS has graded 8 examples of this elusive die marriage—most are tied up in long term collections. This example shows the retained cud that has formed from the final A of AMERICA to the top two arrowheads. That cud developed quickly on this reverse and is the reason this die marriage is so hard to find.
I decided a few years ago to break up my hoard of 1834 JR-6 dimes with the triple die failure on the reverse. Among these, there’s a nice example graded PCGS XF40 with the reverse retained cud at ATES of STATES and another atop the final A of AMERICA through the three arrowheads.
I hope some of these coins stay within the John Reich family of collectors!
Jim Matthews
Editor’s Note: Here is a link to all of the Capped Bust Dimes being auctioned at Great Collections: https://www.greatcollections.com/Series/30/Capped-Bust-Dimes
