1798 Small 8

The 1798 Small 8 dime is the companion variety to the Large 8, distinguished by the comparatively smaller final digit in the date. Combined 1798 dime mintage came to only 27,550 pieces, divided among several major varieties including the 1798/7 overdates plus the Large 8 and Small 8 normal-date issues. Like all Draped Bust dimes, the 1798 issues were produced on hand-operated screw presses at the Philadelphia Mint using planchets cut from rolled silver. The Small 8 variety reflects a different individual numeral punch used during die preparation, and survivors are scarce in any state of preservation, with mid-grade and better examples commanding strong, competitive prices throughout today's market.

Robert Scot's draped Liberty obverse, based on Gilbert Stuart's portrait of Anne Willing Bingham, here pairs with the Heraldic Eagle reverse adopted for circulation in 1798. The eagle holds an olive branch and arrows, with a shield on its breast and the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM on a banner above. Specifications are the series standard 89.24% silver, 2.70 grams, near 19 mm diameter, and reeded edge. Authentication of the Small 8 begins with measuring the final "8" against published plates: it should be noticeably smaller than the digits beside it. Verify weight, check edge reeding for consistency, and match the coin to recognized John Reich (JR) die marriages to rule out modern altered-date and tooled-field deceptions cleverly.

Variety collectors pursue both 1798 Large 8 and Small 8 to complete advanced date-punch sets, and type collectors targeting the first year of the Heraldic Eagle dime also drive demand. Heritage Auctions and Stack's Bowers handle most significant offerings, with Professional Coin Grading Service and Numismatic Guaranty Company certification expected. Collectors building a complete Draped Bust dime set should expect substantial competition for every grade level when high-quality pieces appear. For broader history, see the Draped Bust Dime series history.