10 most valuable dimes

The 1860 O Liberty Seated dime marked the end of dime production at the New Orleans Mint for more than three decades, until 1891, when the Seated Liberty dime was produced for one year and then followed by the Barber dime.  Only 40,000 dimes were produced this year, making it one of the lowest mintages.  This is a rare coin in any grade and is highly desirable among coin collectors.  In 2022, the MS67 graded coin featured on the left sold for $192,000.

With a mintage of a mere 31,300, the 1846 Liberty Seated dime definitely ranks up there with hard to find coins.  This is considered one of the key rarities in the Seated Liberty series, and can be difficult (but not impossible!) to find in higher grades.  In 2009 the MS63 CAC graded coin featured on the left sold for $86,250.

The 1859 S Liberty Seated dime is a key date in the series, and with only a 60,000 mintage, it’s tied with the 1958 S for lowest mintage of dimes in the 1950’s!  This can be a difficult coin to find in Mint State condition, but that makes it all the more worth finding a good quality coin!  In 2009, an MS65 graded coin sold for $100,000.

The 1919 D Mercury dime is another highly desired coin, and is quite common in circulated grades but as with many other coins in this list, it becomes more difficult to find in Mint State. With all Mercury dimes, Full Bands are highly sought after and will fetch a much higher price than those dimes without.  There is currently no MS67 or higher graded 1919 D Mercury dime, but would likely bring in quite a bit given the strong desire for this coin.  In 2019, the MS66 Full Band graded coin featured to the left sold for $156,000!

The 1874 CC Liberty Seated dime is a fine addition to any collection.  With only just under 11,000 minted–and likely many less around anymore due to likely being melted down for silver–this is a pretty rare coin.  If you happen to find one of these, make sure it’s certified or go get it certified.  In 2021, the MS63 graded coin featured to the left sold for $264,000!

The 1918 D Mercury dime is a 90% silver coin, one of the most sought after Mercury dimes in the series.  While it’s not uncommon to find circulated grades of this coin, Mint condition Mercury dimes are quite scarce.  Look out for full band dimes, as they are the rarest and worth the most money.  In 2015, an MS67 Full Band coin sold for $182,125!

The 1872 CC Seated Liberty dime had the largest mintage of dimes between 1870-1875, but that’s a relatively small number when comparing it to the mintages of later years. Only one Mint State example of this coin is known, and in 2022 that MS63 graded coin (featured to the left) sold for $480,000.

The 1916 D Mercury dime has the lowest mintage of the entire Mercury dime series, with only 264,000 produced, making it one of the most desired Mercury dimes.  The popularity of the Mercury dime also leads to fakes; this is one of the most counterfeited rare U.S. coins. With all the Mercury dimes, these are more valuable with Full Bands, but this coin is rare in all grades so no matter what you find for your collection, it’s worth it.  In 2010, the MS67 Full Bands graded coin featured to the left sold for $195,500!

The 1873 CC Liberty Seated dime is among some of the most highly desired coins, and is also one of the most popular dates in the Seated Liberty series.  Only 12,000 of these coins were issued.  The No Arrows variety of the 1873 CC definitely outranks the with arrows, as a No Arrows variety sold in 2012 for $1,840,000! The With Arrows variety is still a strong contender for valuable coins however; in 2022, an MS65 graded coin (Pictured left) sold for $552,000.

The 1871 CC Liberty Seated dime is a rarity much desired by collectors, with only 20,100 of these dimes produced at the Carson City Mint, this is a very rare coin.  It’s speculated that there are likely only five uncirculated specimens of the 1871-CC Seated Liberty dime.  In 2014, an MS65 graded coin (Pictured left) sold for $270,250!