The Draped Bust Dime Small Eagle Reverse was only minted in 1796 and 1797.  The 16-Star Obverse was only minted in early 1797.  The coin had 16 stars because there were that many states; the later issues of 1797 have only 13 stars, because the Mint realized that the coin would soon get too crowded with stars.  

All of the 1797 16-Star variety (JR-1) were struck with the same die.  In the beginning, the die was perfect, but a crack in the die developed above the date, and as PCGS states "this eventually develops into a serious crack that causes the lowest portion of the die to sink and (presumably) break off at some point, rendering the die useless." 

When a die crack becomes a die break, and the metal in that area becomes raised, it is called a "cud".

This coin has to be one of the last coins struck with this die.  The die had sunk so far that the entire area was lower than Liberty.  Note that the cud had now covered half of the first star, the lower part of the curl, and part of the right base of the bust.  None of the date is visible, and the metal flow into the cud has weakened the strike for the legends on both sides.

Compare this coin to the photos of similar coin on PCGS and NGC websites.  None of them show this extent of "clogged" details due to the cud.

We invite you to view our other eBay lots, and visit our eBay store, to see coins from a wide variety of locations throughout the world.

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30 day return privilege for any reason, provided that the coin holder has not been opened.

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