JR-2, R-2. 4 Berry reverse.

Varieties of 1805 Dimes exist with four and five reverse berries. Both are common in lower circulated grades and are seen sometimes in very high grades (MS63 to MS65) but are almost never seen in AU58 to MS62, especially with natural color and choice surfaces.

This fresh-to-the-market example is very choice and I’m not exactly certain why it is not graded MS61. It displays lovely deep natural color with medium lilac centers framed by deeper steel blue pastels at the borders. The strike is typical for the issue with some slight weakness at the centers and on the obverse from 9:00 to 11:00; there is also a noticeable mint-made clashmark coming out from the throat and another at the top of the date. The surfaces are exceptional for the issue with no marks of note and I don’t see the wear that PCGS claims is present.

No PCGS AU58 has sold at auction since July 2004 while no PCGS MS61 has sold since June 2005.

If you have been searching for the right Draped Bust Dime for your type set and you don’t have the funds to buy a Gem, why not consider this extremely attractive piece.

CAC has approved three in AU58 (of which this is the only 58+) with 17 finer.