US Dimes (1796-1891)
Numismatic Information, Coin Values and Images, page 1
This page describes all types of the US Dimes minted from 1796 through 1891, and includes their specifics, mintage records, key dates with coin values (in G-4 and EF-40 conditions) and images of a few types (not all) that were recovered at various locations in the North-East USA.
How To Distinguish a Silver Dime from a Clad One
In 1964 US silver dimes were replaced by the clad coinage (composition consists of the outer layers of copper-nickel bonded to inner core of pure copper). If you are not sure whether you have a silver or a clad coin, look at the coin's edge. If you do not see it half-colored in tones from red to dark brown, your coin is silver. Dug silver coins always remain uncorroded, just tarnished a little.
The Clad Coin is on Left
The dime types, first minted in 1796, follow closely those of the half dimes up through the Liberty seated type. The dimes in each instance weigh twice as much as the half dimes.
DRAPED BUST TYPE, Small Eagle Reverse, 1796-1797
Specifications:
Diameter: 19 mm
Weight:
2.70 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .8924 silver, .1076 copper
Quantity
minted: 47,396
Mint: Philadelphia
Designer: Robert Scot
• Average coin values: AG-3 (About Good) - $400.00, G-4 - $900.00, EF-40 - $4,650
DRAPED BUST TYPE, Heraldic Eagle Reverse, 1798-1807
Specifications:
Diameter:
19 mm
Weight: 2.70 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .8924 silver, .1076
copper
Quantity minted: 422,010
Mint: Philadelphia
Designer: Robert
Scot
Key-Dates and Coin Values:
• 1798 over 97, 13 stars; G-4: $1,700, VF-20 (Very Fine): $6,000
• 1798 Small
8; G-4: $650.00, EF-40: $3,000
• 1804, 13 stars on reverse; G-4: $900.00, EF-40: $7,500
• 1804, 14 stars on reverse; G-4: $1,000, EF-40: $8,500
Average coin values of other dates: AG-3 (About Good) - $325.00, G-4 - $500, EF-40 - $3,500
CAPPED BUST TYPE, 1809 - 1837
VARIETY 1 - Wide Border 1809-1829
VARIETY 2 - Modified Design 1828-1837
New mint equipment was used to make the small date 1828 dimes and subsequent issues. Unlike earlier coinage, these have beaded borders and a uniform diameter. Large date has curl base knob 2; small date has square base knob 2.
Specifications:
Diameter:
18.8 mm; 18.5 mm from 1828 to 1837.
Weight: 2.70 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .8924 silver, .1076 copper
Quantity minted: 11,710,194
Mint:
Philadelphia
Designer: John Reich
Key-Dates and Coin Values:
• 1809; G-4: $85.00, EF-40: $900.00
• 1811 over 9; G-4: $60.00, EF-40: $800.00
• 1814 Small date; G-4: $50.00, EF-40: $400.00
• 1822; G-4: $300.00, EF-40: $2,300
• 1824, 4 over 2; G-4: $20.00, EF-40: $500.00
• 1828 Large date,
curl base 2; G-4: $30.00, EF-40: $425.00
• 1828 Small date, square base 2; G-4: $25.00, EF-40: $325.00
• 1829 Curl base
2; G-4: $3,000, VF-40 (Very Fine): $10,000
• 1830, 30 over 29; G-4: $35.00, EF-40: $350.00
Average coin values of other dates: G-4 - $18.00, EF-40 - $200.00
LIBERTY SEATED TYPE 1837-1891
Mint marks on Liberty seated dimes are placed on the reverse within, or below, the wreath. Size of mint mark varies on many dates.
Mint Mark CC for Carson City on 1876 Seated Liberty Dime
VARIETY 1 - No Stars on Obverse, 1837-1838
VARIETY 2 - Stars on Obverse, 1838-1853
Specifications:
Diameter:
17.9 mm
Weight: 2.67 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .900 silver,
.100 copper
Quantity minted: 26,901,449
Mints: Philadelphia, New Orleans
Designer: Christian Gobrecht
Key-Dates and Coin Values:
• 1837 Large Date; G-4: $25.00, EF-40: $475.00
• 1837 Small Date; G-4: $25.00, EF-40: $475.00
• 1838O; G-4: $32.00, EF-40: $625.00
• 1838
Small stars; G-4: $16.00, EF-40: $150.00
• 1838 Partial drapery; G-4: $18.00, EF-40: $160.00
• 1840; G-4: $25.00, EF-40: $300.00
• 1841 Small
stars, no drapery, upright shield - one proof and one VF known. 1973 M.A.N.A. sale: $52,000
• 1843O; G-4: $35.00, EF-40: $500.00
• 1844; G-4: $150.00, EF-40: $900.00
• 1846; G-4: $75.00, EF-40: $625.00
• 1853 No arrows; G-4: $40.00, EF-40: $275.00
Average coin values of other dates: G-4 - $15.00, EF-40 - $75.00
VARIETY 3 - Arrows at Date, 1853-1855
VARIETY 2 Resumed, 1856-1860
VARIETY 4 - Legend on Obverse, 1860-1873
Specifications:
Diameter: 17.9 mm
Weight: 2.49 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .900 silver, .100 copper
Quantity minted: 89,309,940
Mints: Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, Carson
City
Designer: Christian Gobrecht
Key-Dates and Coin Values:
• 1853O; G-4: $9.00, EF-40: $85.00
• 1856S; G-4: $225.00, EF-40: $700.00
• 1858S; G-4: $75.00, EF-40: $575.00
• 1859S; G-4: $75.00, EF-40: $800.00
• 1860S; G-4: $20.00, VF-20: $250.00
• 1860O; G-4: $275.00, VF-20: $2,400*
• 1861S; G-4: $32.00, EF-40: $325.00
• 1862S; G-4: $25.00, EF-40: $200.00
• 1863; G-4: $250.00, EF-40: $725.00
• 1863S; G-4: $24.00, EF-40: $174.00
• 1864; G-4: $200.00, EF-40: $575.00
• 1864S; G-4: $18.00, EF-40: $120.00
• 1865; G-4: $220.00, EF-40: $680.00
• 1865S; G-4: $25.00, EF-40: $200.00
• 1866; G-4: $230.00, EF-40: $760.00
• 1866S; G-4: $25.00, EF-40: $180.00
• 1867; G-4: $350.00, EF-40: $900.00
• 1867S; G-4: $25.00, EF-40: $250.00
• 1868S; G-4: $15.00, EF-40: $130.00
• 1870S; G-4: $250.00, EF-40: $500.00
• 1871CC; G-4: $780.00, EF-40: $4,200
• 1871S; G-4: $20.00, EF-40: $140.00
• 1872CC; G-4: $350.00, EF-40: $3,400
• 1872S; G-4: $25.00, EF-40: $230.00
• 1873CC (Unique); CSNS auction 1999: $650,000
• 1873 Open 3; G-4: $25.00, EF-40: $150.00
Average coin values of other dates: G-4 - $15.00, EF-40 - $50.00
*Dies were modified slightly during 1861. First variety with only five vertical lines in top of the shield is scarcer than the later variety.
In 1859, a "transitional" dime pattern without nation's identity was made, not for circulation, but at the time the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA was being transferred from the reverse to the obverse.
Dies were modified slightly during 1861. First variety with only five vertical lines in top of shield is scarcer than the later variety
VARIETY 5 Arrows at Date, 1873-1874
In 1873, the dime was increased in weight to 2.50 grams. Arrows at date in 1873 and 1874 indicate this change.
VARIETY 4 Resumed, 1875-1891
Specifications:
Diameter:
17.9 mm
Weight: 2.50 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: .900 silver,
.100 copper
Quantity minted: 169,935,048
Mints: Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco,
Carson City
Designer: Christian Gobrecht
Key-Dates and Coin Values:
• 1873CC
(with arrows at date); G-4: $670.00, EF-40: $4,800
• 1874CC; G-4: $2,200, EF-40: $12,500
• 1878CC; G-4: $40.00, EF-40: $300.00
• 1879; G-4: $160.00, EF-40: $450.00
• 1880; G-4: $120.00, EF-40: $400.00
• 1881; G-4: $120.00, EF-40: $400.00
• 1885S; G-4: $350.00, EF-40: $2,300
• 1886S; G-4: $25.00, EF-40: $150.00
• 1891O, O over O; G-4: $55.00, EF-40: $240.00
Average coin values of other dates: G-4 - $10.00, EF-40 - $35.00
