Ex Jimmy Hayes Collection, Stacks, October 1985, lot 16, where it was described: “Gem Brilliant Proof. Undoubtedly struck for presentation. Deep mirror surface, fully struck stars and devices. Superb sea-green, golden and iridescent toning. Really a coin of indescribable beauty. Not only is this coin the Finest Known of the variety, but it is the only example known to the authors of the new book on die varieties 1796-1837, without the diebreak on the first star. This coin will undoubtedly set a new record for a 1796 Dime!”
Interestingly enough this coin brought $540 at the Empire Collection Sale in 1957 (where a 1797 half dollar sold for $600). Twenty-eight years later, at the Hayes Collection Sale in 1985, it realized $44,000!
Ex. Empire Collection, Stacks, lot 728, November, 1957.
Read the story of the 1796-97 DRAPED BUST DIME – SMALL EAGLE
