A survey of 19th century business strike coin
10C SEATED LIBERTY, NO DRAPERY (1838-1840)
View Image Gallery >
Coin Details
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
DIMES - SEATED LIBERTY |
| Item Description: |
10C 1838 LARGE STARS |
| Full Grade: |
PCGS MS 64 |
| Owner: |
BillJones |
Owner Comments:
Christian Gobrecht who made the dies for the first Seated Liberty coins produced the dies for the “No Drapery” with stars dime. For reasons that baffle some modern collectors, the mint officials decided to add stars to obverse of the half dime and dime in 1838. This took away the cameo affect of the Liberty Seated design and made the piece less attractive in the eyes of some collectors. Nevertheless these pieces reflect that fine detail that Gobrecht incorporated into his dies.
In 1840 Robert Ball Hughes would modify the Seated Liberty design. Known as he "With Drapery" type Hughes' interpretation had a stiff, boxy appearance when they are compared to these more artfully rendered pieces.
The coin shown above has been dipped, but its luster is strong and vibrant, and the detail of the design is nicely illustrated.