1805 10C 4 Berries MS 66+

Description

From a reported mintage of 120,780 pieces, the 1805 Draped Bust dime is probably the most available date in the series. Only two die varieties are known for the date and this coin represents the more available JR-2 pairing, with four berries in the branch on the reverse. The obverse die was used previously to strike the JR-1 variety of this date and the reverse may have been a left over die from 1798, as it employs the old style narrow A's and small stars arranged in a diagonal pattern. The 1805 Draped Bust dime has been a popular issue with collectors since the earliest days of the hobby and examples began appearing at auction at least as early as lot 280 of the A.C. Kline Sale (Moses Thomas & Sons, 6/1855). Early catalogers were quick to notice the four berries reverse on the JR-2 variety and numismatists like Howard Rounds Newcomb began listing the 1805 "Four Berries" reverse as early as the catalog for the 1914 ANS Exhibition. The record price realized at auction for the issue is the $188,000 brought by the MS67 PCGS Secure example in Heritage's ANA Signature sale in August of 2014. This example is a high-end Premium Gem with sharply detailed design elements. The well-preserved surfaces display a light colorful patina. Vibrant mint luster shines through the toning and eye appeal is outstanding. Few coins can match this combination of high technical quality, terrific visual appeal, and great historic interest