An MS67 graded 1796 JR-1 dime is to lead the sale of the Eugene H Gardner collection at Heritage Auctions in New York on June 23 with bidding currently standing at $80,000.
Heritage describe this particular example as "a coin of such importance that it is the single finest known of its variety�ǪThis coin shows every indication of being a specimen or presentation strike.
 The 1796 JR-1 dime is possibly the first to be issued by the early US mint |
"There is no doubt in the minds of the senior cataloguing staff at Heritage on that issue, even though it is not acknowledged as such by PCGS�Ǫ
"Could this have been the very first example struck?"
The US mint began producing coinage in 1796 and surviving examples of all values are highly sought by collectors, with a quarter realising $1.5m in November last year.
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