Black Cat - Complete Dime Patterns - All Metals Coin Album
CAC - Reeded edge. Medal turn. Ideally centered on both sides, a broad frame of denticles of even length surround the frosty chocolate brown surfaces on both obverse and reverse. The surfaces are both glossy and lustrous, rich in tone and lightest in the protected areas where mint color was last to fade. The portrait of Liberty was brought into full relief and detail by a single bold strike, standing out in good contrast from the smooth fields that surround it. The reverse is similarly choice, with a nicely rendered eagle showing just the usual flat area at absolute center but maintaining better than usual details in the head, wings, and talons. The light shades around the peripheral legends are gold and olive, barely faded from mint color. The fields on both sides are essentially immaculate, free of any troubling marks or post-striking contact points. Ex. Archangel Collection
CAC - High R7 - Struck in Copper with a Reeded Edge. The obverse bears a central shield with intersecting arrows behind and a ring atop, from which depends on an inverted laurel wreath framing the shield left and right. EXCHANGED FOR / U.S. NOTES occupies the periphery. The reverse shows two rosettes separating POSTAGE CURRENCY and ACT JULY 1862, with 10 CENTS 1863 on three lines in the center. Mirrors beam intensely from all over. The mirrors are very clean and have remarkably clarity. Phenomenal totally original iridescent colors of pale lime/purple/violet/tangerine/gold colors swirl all over. Every detail is fully struck and appears boldly.
R8 - Only 3 pieces known. Struck in copper with a plain edge. "Both sides showcase magnificent ice-blue patina with golden-olive accents. A rarity with perhaps just three pieces known." Ex: The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part III
CAC - Low R.6 - Struck in 100% tin. 21.14 grains. Standard Postage Currency obverse and reverse. The surfaces are exceptionally bright and reflective with a rippling effect in the fields. No toning is present. Ex: Massachusetts Historical Society and Appleton Collection Harry Bass Collection, Part I; David Cassel Collection.
CAC - Low R.6 - Struck in tin (mostly) with a plain edge. The stated composition of this piece is: 97% tin and 3% copper. The tin surfaces are bright and virtually undiminished by toning. The strike is strong throughout and there are a number of lint marks impressed into the reverse, debris that obviously adhered to the die by static electricity after the die was wiped by the coiner.
High R.7 - Struck nickel with a reeded edge. Struck from regular issue 1864 Seated dime dies. A very rare pattern variety, from a total population that is estimated at just three or four pieces. Struck from eroded dies, this Select proof has wispy blue toning on its gray-gold surfaces.
CAC - Low R.7 - Struck in copper-nickel alloy with a reeded edge. Was in an NGC holder - Judd-641A Unique. Years ago SEM-EDX testing was conducted by Ledoux & Company on NGC certificate number 581886-002. That testing revealed the composition of this piece as: 76% copper, 23% nickel, 0.3% cobalt, 0.2% iron, and 0.1% silicon. "The fields show the expected die polishing marks, and they are exceptionally mirrored. Additionally, the devices display significant mint frost, giving the coin considerable field-device contrast on each side. Just a hint of pale golden-rose toning is present across each side. The devices are fully struck in all areas."
Low R.7 - Struck in nickel with a reeded edge with about half a dozen known. This is the finest certified. A Postage Currency related pattern, dated 1868. "This is a brightly mirrored piece that shows only slight golden toning on each side." Ex. Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part IV, The Distinguished Gentleman of the O.C. Collection.
CAC - Low R.6 - Struck in nickel with a plain edge. The obverse features the almost identical design used on large cents from 1843 to 1857, while the reverse is similar except TEN CENTS is in the center of the wreath. The leftover Braided Hair design from large cents, last struck a decade before this piece, was used for pattern cents and ten cents in 1868. This nickel example is fully brilliant with satiny smooth surfaces and excellent design definition.
CAC - Ex Simpson. R-7-. 7-12 MINTED. Struck in copper with a reeded edge.
CAC - R.7 - Struck in copper with a reeded edge. ..."well struck and lustrous with rich apple-green, ocean-blue, and rose-red toning." Ex. Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection / Simpson
High R.6. Allegedly struck in "Koulz's" alloy, a variant of German silver. "The surfaces appear nickel-gray with splashes of golden patina". Ex: The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part II
CAC - High R.7 - Struck in Cupro-Nickel with a plain edge - Only CAC Example. The obverse is similar to the regular issue, but without the date in exergue. The reverse has SIL. / NIC. / COP. with the date slightly curved below and in a smaller font. The bright nickel-gray fields show light oil-slick iridescence that is most attractive, and the devices are especially well-struck considering the hardness of the alloy.
CAC - High R.7 - only three or four examples of Judd-720 are believe to exist. Struck in nickel with a reeded edge. "Minimally toned nickel-gray surfaces showcase dramatic Cameo contrast. Barely a hint of golden color graces this Premium Gem dime." Ex: The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part III
CAC - R-7+. 4-6 Minted. Less than a half dozen are known. Struck in aluminum with a reeded edge. Ex. Simpson -Finest Graded 12/2020
CAC - R7 - Struck in copper with a reeded edge. James Longacre's Indian Princess design and Standard Silver reverse. This is the finest PCGS graded example that exists! Deep red mirrors are flashy and beautiful, that surround razor sharp design elements that stand out with a bold eye appeal. Superficial, delicate dusting of violet can be seen in areas, but do not detract from the ultra-red color.
CAC - High R.6 -Struck in copper with a reeded edge. The Longacre Indian Princess design on the obverse features Liberty seated with left hand resting on a globe, right hand holding a pole with cap on top, and conjoined flags behind. The reverse is from the regular issue dies. Most of each side is subdued blue, brown. Fully struck. Ex: The Collection of William Rau.
CAC - R.8. Struck in aluminum with a reeded edge. "Either two or three examples are known of this pattern, two of which were at one time in the Eric Newman Collection, as purchased by him and Burdette G. Johnson from Col. E.H.R. Green. " ....this is an appealing (and extremely rare) pattern showing only light hairlines in the fields. The reverse is well-struck, if not quite fully." Ex: Green-Newman -Simpson
CAC - R6+ - Struck in copper with a reeded edge. Society or Wash Lady type created in 1879 by Charles Barber. The head of Liberty faces left surrounded by the legend and the date is situated below. She is wearing a headband inscribed LIBERTY. The headband is ornamented with ears of wheat, cotton leaves, and bolls. On the reverse, the denomination is encircled by a ring of dots that is flanked by the ornamentally framed motto E PLURIBUS UNUM and a wreath of cotton and wheat. "A strong reflection glows from the fields, highlighting the brilliant red in the centers and deepening violet toward the periphery." Ex. Glorious Patterns Collection.
CAC - High R.6. Struck in silver with a reeded edge. "Brilliant surfaces feature glassy fields and frosted relief elements. Just a hint of golden color is present." Ex: The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part V