Some of the most valuable dimes are valued at over $1 million, which could surprise you. However, why are some dimes worth seven figures while others are only at the face value of the coin, which is “TEN CENTS”?
At first sight, the difference between common and rare dimes can not always be visible. When a beginner coin collector is trying to learn what makes a coin valuable and rare, this is particularly true.
10 Most Valuable Dimes
Let’s take a look at the 10 most valuable dimes in the list below and explain why they are worth more than their face value:
- 1874 CC Liberty Seated Dime- $115000
- 1872 CC Liberty Seated Dime- $85000
- 1871 CC Liberty Seated Dime- $75000
- 1873 CC Liberty Seated Dime- $62000
- 1859 S Liberty Seated Dime- $27500
- 1919 D Mercury Dime- $25000
- 1846 Liberty Seated Dime- $23000
- 1860 O Liberty Seated Dime- $22500
- 1918 Mercury Dime- $22000
- 1858 S Liberty Seated Dime-$18500
1. 1874 CC Liberty Seated Dime
The 1874-CC Liberty Seated Dime, designed by James Barton Longacre and struck at the Carson City Mint, is one of the rarest coins from the With Arrows series. Because there were only 10,817 coins produced, most of them were in movement, making high-grade examples very difficult to find. The coin has a reeded edge, a diameter of 17.90 mm, and is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper.Â
It is considered the rarest of its kind from the period, with notable auction records, including a Mint State 62 example selling for $216,000 in 2022. A famous piece once owned by actor Buddy Ebsen and later Eugene Gardner fetched $152,750 in 2014, having previously sold for $162,150 in 2003. Another high-quality example, the Norweb coin, was last auctioned in 1989 and is known for its prooflike appearance. This coin stands out not only for its rarity but also its historical significance, making it a prized piece among collectors.
2. 1872 CC Liberty Seated Dime
The 1872 CC Liberty Seated Dime is a special piece from the Carson City Mint. Designed by James Barton Longacre, this coin has a reeded edge, a diameter of 17.90 millimeters, and weighs 2.48 grams. It is made up of 90% silver and 10% copper.
With a total mintage of just 35,480, the 1872-CC dime had the highest production among Carson City dimes between 1870 and 1875. However, compared to the over 4.6 million dimes made in 1875, this number is very small. Because the mint was far from collectors on the East Coast, very few were saved, making this coin hard to find in high grades.
Today, there is only one known Mint State example, graded MS63. This dime came from the Battle Born and Eugene Gardner collections and sold for an impressive $480,000 at auction in 2022. Other existing 1872-CC dimes rarely surpass EF45 in condition. This single Mint State coin is as rare as the unique 1873-CC No Arrows Dime, making it highly prized by collectors.
3. 1871 CC Liberty Seated Dime
The 1871 CC Liberty Seated Dime is a standout among Carson City coins due to its rarity. Designed by James Barton Longacre, this dime features a reeded edge, a diameter of 17.90 millimeters, and weighs 2.48 grams. It is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper.
With a mintage of only 20,100, it is rare to find this coin in Mint State. Only about five Uncirculated examples are known, making it highly sought after. The finest known is graded NGC MS65, part of the Eugene Gardner Collection, which sold for a record $270,250 in 2014 at Heritage Auctions.
Collectors value this dime for its scarcity and historical significance, making it a prized piece for any serious collection.
4. 1873 CC Liberty Seated Dime
The 1873 CC Liberty Seated Dime, with arrows, is highly prized by collectors. Designed by James Barton Longacre, this coin has a reeded edge, measures 17.90 millimeters in diameter, and weighs 2.50 grams. It’s made of 90% silver and 10% copper.
With a mintage of just 18,791, this dime is rare, especially in high grades. Collectors face tough competition for graded examples. PCGS has reported only one Mint State example, graded MS65, which came from the Norweb Collection and sold for $276,000 in 2012. The Eugene Gardner Collection had an NGC MS65 that sold for $199,750 in 2014. Recently, a similar MS65 piece reached a record $552,000 at an auction in 2022.
Finding a high-quality, original 1873-CC With Arrows Dime is a challenge, making it a true prize for dedicated collectors.
5. 1859 S Liberty Seated Dime
The 1859 S Liberty Seated Dime is an important coin in the Seated Liberty series. Designed by Robert Ball Hughes and Christian Gobrecht, this coin has a reeded edge, a diameter of 17.90 millimeters, and weighs 2.48 grams. It is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper.
With a mintage of just 60,000 coins, it matches the low count of the 1858-S Dime and holds the title for the smallest mintage of any U.S. dime from the 1850s. Finding one in Mint State is exceptionally rare, with the 1859-S considered slightly more difficult to find than its 1858 counterpart.
The finest known example is a PCGS MS65, which has sold for between $75,900 and $100,000 in various auctions over the years. It is the top specimen by a notable margin. Collectors treasure the 1859-S for its scarcity and historical value, making it a prized piece in any Collection.
6. 1919 D Mercury Dime
The 1919 D Mercury Dime is a popular but challenging coin for collectors. Designed by Adolph Alexander Weinman, it features a reeded edge, a diameter of 17.90 millimeters, and weighs 2.50 grams. It’s made of 90% silver and 10% copper.
The mintage was 9,939,000, making it common in circulated condition. However, finding a Mint State example is much harder. About 25-33% of these Mint State coins are graded with Full Bands, a detail that significantly raises their value.
Interestingly, the 1919-D, along with the 1927-D and 1927-S, are unique in the series because none have been graded by PCGS as MS67 or better. This holds true for both Full Bands and Non-Full Bands versions. If an MS67 coin were ever found, it would likely command a huge price due to the intense interest in the series. The highest recorded auction for an MS66 version was $5,288 in 2014 at Heritage Auctions.
7. 1846 Liberty Seated Dime
The 1846 Liberty Seated Dime is one of the rarest coins in the Seated Liberty series. Designed by Robert Ball Hughes and Christian Gobrecht, it has a reeded edge, measures 17.90 millimeters in diameter, and weighs 2.67 grams. Made of 90% silver and 10% copper, it was minted in Philadelphia with a low mintage of just 31,300 coins.
Mint State examples are extremely rare, making this dime highly desirable among collectors. Notably, there are even more Proof examples than Mint State ones. One of the best-known specimens, an MS63 from the Eugene Gardner Collection, sold for $47,000 in 2014. However, the record price was set in 1999 when another PCGS MS63 sold for $86,250.
Collectors appreciate the 1846 Dime for its rarity and historical value, making it a prized piece in the world of numismatics.
8. 1860 O Liberty Seated Dime
The 1860 O Liberty Seated Dime is a highly valued coin from the New Orleans Mint. Designed by Robert Ball Hughes and Christian Gobrecht, it has a reeded edge, a diameter of 17.90 millimeters, and weighs 2.48 grams. It is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper.
With a low mintage of just 40,000 coins, the 1860-O is the rarest New Orleans dime. Mint State examples are particularly scarce, adding to its appeal. The best-known specimen is the NGC MS-67 Lovejoy coin, which sold for $50,000 in 1990. The record auction price for an 1860-O dime was $192,000 in 2022 for an MS67 at Heritage Auctions.
Collectors recognize this dime as one of the most prized New Orleans issues, highlighted by its consistent ranking in the top Seated Liberty coins by enthusiasts.
9. 1918 Mercury Dime
The 1918 Mercury Dime from the San Francisco Mint is a desirable coin for collectors. Designed by Adolph Alexander Weinman, this dime has a reeded edge, a diameter of 17.90 millimeters, and weighs 2.50 grams. It is made of 90% silver and 10% copper.
With a mintage of 19,300,000, circulated examples are common, but finding high-quality Mint State examples, especially with Full Bands (FB) detail, is more challenging. The most notable sale was an MS67FB that sold for $144,000 at a Heritage Auctions event in 2019.
The 1918-S Mercury Dime is sought after for its sharp detail and rarity in top grades, making it a cherished piece among coin collectors.
10. 1858 S Liberty Seated Dime-$18500
The 1858-S Liberty Seated Dime is a rare and valuable coin. It was designed by Robert Ball Hughes and Christian Gobrecht, with a reeded edge, a diameter of 17.90 mm, and a weight of 2.48 grams. The coin has a mintage of just 60,000, all struck at the San Francisco Mint. Made of 90% silver and 10% copper, the 1858-S Dime is known for its rarity, especially in higher grades.
An auction record was set when an MS66 grade example sold for $78,000 in February 2023 at Heritage Auctions. This coin has one of the smallest mintages for U.S. dimes from the 1850s, sharing the same mintage as the 1859-S Dime. Even in low grades, it is considered rare, and finding one in Mint State is extremely difficult.
The top example is a PCGS MS66, previously part of the Eugene Gardner Collection, which brought $88,125. Another notable example is the MS64 from the Eliasberg Collection, though it hasn’t been seen since 1996. Researcher Jerry Fortin identified three die varieties for this coin, each equally rare.
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Bottom Line:
The most valuable dimes are highly demanded not just for their rarity, but also for their historical value and the challenges collectors face in finding them in high grades. Coins like the 1874-CC and 1872-CC Liberty Seated Dimes, with their extremely low mintage numbers and unique characteristics, command prices well into the six-figure range.
While most dimes may only be worth their face value, these exceptional examples show how rarity, condition, and historical context can make a simple dime worth a fortune. For collectors, using a coin value checker can help assess the potential worth of their collection, making these coins both a financial investment and a piece of numismatic history.
