Seated Liberty Dime

1837 – 1891

The Seated Liberty Dime was designed by Christian Gobrecht and first minted in 1837.
The obverse features Lady Liberty sitting on a rock, in her right hand she holds the Union Shield inscribed with the word “LIBERTY” and in her left hand she holds a long staff.
The reverse side of the 1837 dime is very simple with “One Dime” in the center encircled by a laurel wreath which is tied at the bottom with a bow and the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” in an arc along the top.
The 1837 issue was minted in two varieties; Large Date and Small Date. The Small Date variety is a little more rare than the Large Date. The easiest way to differentiate the two varieties is to look at the “3” and “7” in the date.

Large Date – The number “3” has a pointed looking top and the top of the “7” is straight.
Small Date – The top of the number “3” is rounded and the top of the “7” has a bulge.
During the 55 years of the Seated Liberty Dime’s lifespan the series saw eight design changes. The changes were made in response to economic conditions and the desire to standardize the designs on US silver coins. Note: The Seated Liberty design was used on all US silver coins of the time period.In 1860, the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” was removed from the reverse and place on the observe. The laurel wreath was changed to a wreath of oak leaves, corn, maple and wheat and the arrowheads were removed from the obverse. However, in 1873 the arrowheads were once again added to the design.
In 1860, the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” was removed from the reverse and place on the observe. The laurel wreath was changed to a wreath of oak leaves, corn, maple and wheat and the arrowheads were removed from the obverse. However, in 1873 the arrowheads were once again added to the design.
In 1838 the coin was modified by the addition of thirteen stars on the reverse; six stars on the right side and seven on the left. In 1853 the coin’s design was modified again. Two arrowheads were added to the obverse, one on each side of the date.
The Seated Liberty Dime is by far the most easily obtained of all the Seated Liberty coins. In a decent grade the prices are somewhat high, but are much more in reach than the quarter, half or dollar.
While there are quite a few dedicated collectors of the Seated Liberty Dime, or Seated Liberty coins in general, most collectors who buy them are interested in type or 19th century coins. Either way, every coin collector should have at least one nice high grade example of this beautiful coin.

Seated Liberty Dime Specifications:

• Diameter: 17.9 mm
• Weight:
  • 1837 – 1852 2.67 g
  • 1853 – 1873 2.49 g
  • 1873 – 1891 2.5 g
• Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
• Edge: Reeded
• Net Weight:
  • 1837 – 1852 0.08584 oz pure silver
  • 1853 – 1873 0.08584 oz pure silver
  • 1873 – 1891 0.08038 oz pure silver

Tips on Grading a Seated Liberty Dime:

G4 Good: “LIBERTY” on shield is smooth. Date and letters readable.
F12 Fine: Entire word “LIBERTY” visible, but with weak spots.
VF20 Very Fine: Entire word “LIBERTY” strong and even.
EF40 Extremely Fine: “LIBERTY” and scroll edges distinct.
AU50 About Uncirculated: Has traces of light wear on many of the high points. At least half of the mint luster is still present.
MS60 Uncirculated: No trace of wear. May have light blemishes.
MS63 Select Uncirculated: Some distracting contact marks or blemishes in prime focal areas. Luster may be impaired.

Seated Liberty Dime Mintage Numbers:

1837 ………. 682,500 1838-O …… 406,034 1838 ……. 1,992,500 1839 ……. 1,053,115 1839-O …. 1,323,000 1840 ………. 981,500 1840-O …. 1,175,000 1840 ………. 377,500 1841 ……. 1,622,500 1841-O …. 2,007,500 1842 ……. 1,887,500 1842-O …. 2,020,000 1843 ……. 1,370,000 1843-O …… 150,000 1844 ……….. 72,500 1845 ……. 1,755,000 1845-O …… 230,000 1846 ……….. 31,300 1847 ……… 245,000 1848 ……… 451,500 1849 ……… 839,000 1849-O ….. 300,000 1850 …… 1,931,500 1850-O ….. 510,000 1851 …… 1,026,500 1851-O ….. 400,000 1852 …… 1,535,500 1852-O ….. 430,000 1853 No arrows.. 95,000 1853 ….. 12,078,010 1853-O ….. 1,100,000 1854 …….. 4,470,000 1854-O ….. 1,770,000 1855 …….. 2,075,000 1856 …….. 5,780,000 1856-O ….. 1,180,000 1856-S ……… 70,000 1857 ……… 5,580,000 1857-O ….. 1,540,000

1858 …….. 1,540,000 1858-O ……. 290,000 1858-S ……… 60,000 1859 ………. 430,000 1859-O ……. 480,000 1859-S ……… 60,000 1860-S ……. 140,000 1860 ………. 606,000 1860-O …….. 40,000 1861 …….. 1,883,000 1861-S ……. 172,500 1862 ………. 847,000 1862-S ……. 180,750 1863 ………… 14,000 1863-S ……. 157,500 1864 ………… 11,000 1864-S ……. 230,000 1865 ………… 10,000 1865-S ……. 175,000 1866 …………. 8,000 1866-S ……. 135,000 1867 …………. 6,000 1867-S ……. 140,000 1868 ………..464,000 1868-S ……. 260,000 1869 ………..256,000 1869-S ……. 450,000 1870 ………. 470,500 1870-S ……… 50,000 1871 ……….. 906,750 1871-S …….. 320,000 1871-CC …….. 20,100 1872 ……… 2,395,500 1872-S …….. 190,000 1872-CC …….. 35,480 1873 No Arrows … 1,568,000 1873-CC No Arrows … 12,400 1873 ……… 2,377,700

1873-S …….. 455,000 1873-CC …….. 18,791 1874 ……… 2,939,300 1874-S …….. 240,000 1874-CC …….. 10,817 1875 ……. 10,350,000 1875-S …… 9,070,000 1875-CC ….. 4,645,000 1876 …….. 11,460,000 1876-S ….. 10,420,000 1876-CC ….. 8,270,000 1877 ………. 7,310,000 1877-S ……. 2,340,000 1877-CC ….. 7,700,000 1878 ………. 1,677,200 1878-CC ……. 200,000 1879 ………….. 14,000 1880 ………….. 36,000 1881 ………….. 24,000 1882 ………. 3,910,000 1883 ………. 7,674,673 1884 ………. 3,365,505 1884-S ……… 564,969 1885 ………. 2,532,497 1885-S ……….. 43,690 1886 ………. 6,376,684 1886-S ……… 206,524 1887 …….. 11,283,229 1887-S ……. 4,454,450 1888 ………. 5,495,655 1888-S ……. 1,720,000 1889 ………. 7,380,000 1889-S ………. 972,678 1890 ……….. 9,910,951 1890-S …….. 1,423,076 1891 ………. 15,310,000 1891-O …….. 4,540,000 1891-S ……… 3,196,116