Price Guide for 1873 Dime Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $15.00 – $8,338.00Uncirculated: $99.00 – $11,750.00
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eBayCirculated: $21.50 – $416.00Uncirculated: $113.50 – $3,200.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $15.00 – $550.00Uncirculated: $600.00 – $16,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $37.00 – $576.00Uncirculated: $403.00 – $16,675.00
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eBayCirculated: $52.00 – $389.99Uncirculated: $1,540.00 – $5,200.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $35.00 – $800.00Uncirculated: $1,000.00 – $17,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $23.00 – $360.00Uncirculated: $182.00 – $6,462.50
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eBayCirculated: $19.99 – $280.96Uncirculated: $390.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $15.00 – $450.00Uncirculated: $500.00 – $6,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $550,000.00 – $3,600,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $182.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,250,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $517.00Uncirculated: $2.10 – $9,200.00
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eBayUncirculated: $310.00 – $970.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $350.00 – $425.00Uncirculated: $450.00 – $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $6,325.00Uncirculated: $423.00 – $17,625.00
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eBayUncirculated: $650.00 – $3,650.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $650.00 – $17,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $90.00 – $46,000.00Uncirculated: $375.00 – $552,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,525.00 – $9,100.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,500.00 – $75,000.00Uncirculated: $650,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $37.00 – $1,006.00Uncirculated: $9.25 – $22,325.00
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eBayCirculated: $114.50 – $313.00Uncirculated: $693.00 – $1,425.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $1,100.00Uncirculated: $1,250.00 – $14,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $346.00 – $603.00Uncirculated: $2.20 – $24,150.00
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eBayCirculated: $425.00Uncirculated: $499.90 – $4,599.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $500.00 – $650.00Uncirculated: $700.00 – $6,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,920.00 – $7,050.00
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eBayCirculated: $51.09 – $112.50Uncirculated: $2,625.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $100.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $305.50Uncirculated: $1,703.75
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,766.03 – $1,800.00
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eBayCirculated: $289.95
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $960.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,760.00 – $8,700.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,527.50
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $822.50
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eBayCirculated: $750.00Uncirculated: $37.63 – $585.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,410.00 – $23,500.00Uncirculated: $15,600.00
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eBayCirculated: $360.00 – $2,120.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,250.00 – $17,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $4,313.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,320.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $139.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,702.50
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,020.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,140.00 – $51,600.00Uncirculated: $180,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $376.00Uncirculated: $3,048.00 – $24,675.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $600.00 – $8,225.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6,168.75 – $12,925.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,850.00 – $17,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $780.00 – $5,875.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,000.00 – $1,100.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $660.00 – $17,825.00
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eBayUncirculated: $920.00 – $1,850.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,000.00 – $8,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,140.00 – $7,200.00
Design and Specifications of the 1873 Dime
The 1873 Seated Liberty Dime is a significant coin in American numismatic history. It was minted during a pivotal year when the Coinage Act of 1873 was passed, which demonetized silver and effectively put the United States on the gold standard. This act, often referred to as the ‘Crime of ’73’ by silver advocates, had far-reaching economic consequences.
The Seated Liberty design, featuring Lady Liberty seated on a rock, had been in use since 1837 and would continue until 1891. The year 1873 saw both arrows and no arrows varieties of the dime, with arrows added at the date to indicate a slight weight increase in the coin.
| Weight | 2.49 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17.9 mm |
| Mint Marks | Philadelphia (no mint mark), Carson City (CC), San Francisco (S) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
| Reverse Design | Wreath surrounding the words 'ONE DIME', designed by Christian Gobrecht |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of an 1873 Seated Liberty Dime has a significant impact on its value. Coins in uncirculated condition (MS60 or higher) are particularly valuable, with premium prices for those grading MS65 or above. The Carson City (CC) mint mark coins are especially prized in high grades due to their low mintage and historical significance.
For circulated coins, wear on Liberty’s knee, breast, and head are key areas that affect grading. The reverse is typically less affected by wear, but the wreath details can be important for higher-grade circulated pieces.
Mintage: 2,378,500
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: Arrows and No Arrows varieties
Market Demand: High, especially for high-grade specimens
Mintage: 18,791
Rarity Scale: Very Rare
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in uncirculated condition
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Very High, prized by collectors
Mintage: 455,000
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved examples
Varieties play a crucial role in the value of 1873 dimes. The ‘Arrows’ and ‘No Arrows’ varieties are both collectible, with the ‘Arrows’ type generally commanding a premium due to its representation of the weight change. The Carson City mint’s low production numbers make all CC-marked coins valuable regardless of variety.
Toning can significantly affect value, with naturally toned coins often commanding a premium. Strike quality is also important, particularly for the San Francisco and Carson City issues, which can sometimes be found weakly struck. Coins with full, sharp details are more desirable and valuable.
Lastly, provenance can add substantial value, especially for high-grade or Carson City specimens with a history of belonging to famous collections or appearing in notable auctions.
