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1890-S
Variety 105
Obverse 3: High Date, Sharp Downward Slope
Reverse D.2: Small S, [mm Lt,H], Die Cracks
Obverse 3 Reverse D.2
Obverse Diagnostic Point(s) Reverse Diagnostic Point(s)
Comments: Obverse 3 is paired with a Small S reverse die (Reverse D). This variety listing current presents the only known die pairing for Obverse 3 but an additional pairing is possible and warrants further research.
Reverse D exhibits a Small S mintmark that is positioned left and high. There is a diagonal die line on the oak leaf in the lower right wreath. Minor die cracks from the right and left wreath to the rim are noted per the above illustration. Reverse D was previously paired with Obverse 4 and is listed as Variety 118. During that pairing, Reverse D is in an early die state with no die cracks.
1890 San Francisco dimes with a Small S mintmark are scarce and will take considerable searching to locate. They warrant a premium when found. The plate coin is one of the few Variety 105 examples seen in Mint State. It appeared during a Heritage Signature auction in 2005.
Plate Coin: G. Fortin Collection, PCGS MS62