1833 Dime last 3 high (JR-5, R-1) PCGS MS63. This Select Uncirculated 1833 dime is the popular Last 3 High Red Book variety. The coin is sharply struck with full details on Liberty’s hair, her broach, the centers of the stars, and the details of the eagle. The sea-green color mixes with rose highlights over satiny luster. The surfaces are original, clean, and have no distracting marks worthy of note. In fact, because of the quality of the surfaces, the coin could easily have graded a point or two higher. In addition, although not mentioned on the grading insert, the piece was struck from rotated dies.

 

Designed by John Reich, the Capped Bust dime shows Liberty in profile facing left wearing a Phrygian cap with LIBERTY inscribed on the headband. Ringlets of hair protrude from her cap at the forehead and ear, and her curls fall to the shoulders. A clasp just off the shoulder holds the drapery, and the date is below the truncation. Seven stars are to her left and six are to the right. The reverse shows the heraldic eagle looking left with wings raised. Above the eagle, on a banner, is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The required inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the coin, and the denomination written as 10 C. is below.

 

John Reich, a skilled engraver, was born in Bavaria and came to the United States around 1800. In order to finance his passage, he sold himself into servitude. President Thomas Jefferson recommended that Reich be hired as an engraver at the Mint in 1801. When he was serving in Washington’s Cabinet, Jefferson was in charge of the Mint as Secretary of State. While in France, Jefferson developed a working knowledge of the minting process. Reich was hired for other duties, but he eventually became an engraver. He had a superb eye for the complicated aesthetics of coin engraving. At this time his freedom was purchased by an unknown mint official. Although Chief Engraver Robert Scot designed most of the coins at the mint since 1794, it was said that Reich had much more talent and ability than Scot.

 

In its population report, PCGS shows 30 1833 dimes in MS63 condition with 62 better; however, for the “Last 3 High” variety, there are 4 in MS63 with 7 better. At NGC there is 1 with 2 better. These numbers do not account for crossovers or resubmissions.