1798 1798/7 Overdate, 13 Star Reverse

The 1798/7 Overdate dime with 13-star reverse marks the Mint's first year of the Heraldic Eagle reverse on the dime denomination. An overdate occurs when a working die originally engraved for one year is repurposed by punching the new year's final digit over the old one. In this case, a leftover 1797 die was reused, and an "8" was punched over the existing "7" to create the 1798 obverse. Combined 1798 dime mintage was 27,550, divided among several major varieties. This 13-star reverse refers to the count of stars between the eagle's head and the arc of clouds on the reverse, the standard arrangement adopted moving forward consistently.

Robert Scot's draped Liberty obverse, based on Gilbert Stuart's portrait of Anne Willing Bingham, here pairs with the new Heraldic Eagle reverse showing a large eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch with a shield on its breast and E PLURIBUS UNUM on a banner above. Authentication of the overdate depends on detecting the underlying "7" beneath the "8," typically visible as a curved stroke protruding from the upper-right loop of the "8" or a remnant flag inside the loop. Specifications include 89.24% silver, 2.70 grams, and a reeded edge. Confirm star counts above the eagle, then match the coin to published JR die marriages to rule out tooled fields or modern altered dates.

The 1798/7 overdate is a favorite of variety collectors and early-type specialists alike, and its position as the first Heraldic Eagle dime adds layered demand. Heritage Auctions has produced strong results for sharp, properly attributed examples. Professional Coin Grading Service and Numismatic Guaranty Company holders are essential. Original surfaces with even patina and intact denticles carry meaningful premiums over cleaned or tooled coins, regardless of technical grade. For more, see the Draped Bust Dime series history.