1803 JR.4 (R-5). About Uncirculated with obverse scratches. The obverse has several crossing hairline scratches mostly hidden by Liberty's hair, although one behind her ear is the most prominent. A minor edge mark is found at 8:00 on the obverse. Toned gunmetal gray with darker gold near the rims. The reverse die is shattered with multiple die cracks, the heaviest of which extends through the right wing of the eagle. It is amazing that this reverse was also used in 1802 for the JR.2 die pairing, and it was during the prior year that the reverse shattered. The Philadelphia Mint must not have had any other reverse die available, pressing this shattered die back into service for coinage in 1803. Close to or within the Condition Census for the variety despite the problems mentined, as all 1803 Dimes are rare in grades of Extremely Fine or finer.
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