Price Guide for 1840 Half 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: $3.15 – $720.00Uncirculated: $2.10 – $42,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $44.50 – $369.00Uncirculated: $281.21 – $750.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $475.00Uncirculated: $500.00 – $47,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $2.40 – $475.00Uncirculated: $7.50 – $22,800.00
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eBayCirculated: $134.50 – $329.00Uncirculated: $400.99 – $425.01
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $75.00 – $600.00Uncirculated: $650.00 – $25,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $53.00 – $9,987.50Uncirculated: $1,430.00 – $31,725.00
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eBayCirculated: $20.50 – $4,100.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $175.00 – $8,000.00Uncirculated: $8,500.00 – $38,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1.40 – $2,160.00Uncirculated: $1,093.00 – $28,800.00
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eBayCirculated: $35.00 – $700.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $125.00 – $2,100.00Uncirculated: $2,500.00 – $22,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $22,000.00 – $48,875.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $50,000.00 – $125,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $384.00 – $4,025.00Uncirculated: $11,162.50 – $12,337.50
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eBayCirculated: $916.25
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,250.00 – $1,500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1840 Half Dime
The 1840 Half Dime represents the second year of the Seated Liberty design for this denomination. This series, introduced in 1837, marked a significant change from the previous Capped Bust design. The Seated Liberty motif, created by Christian Gobrecht, was used across several silver denominations, bringing a unified look to American coinage.
The year 1840 is notable as it saw the introduction of the New Orleans Mint for half dime production, expanding the coin’s minting beyond Philadelphia for the first time in this series.
| Weight | 1.34 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 15.5 mm |
| Mint Marks | Philadelphia (no mint mark), New Orleans (O) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
| Reverse Design | Wreath surrounding denomination, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1840 Half Dimes significantly impacts their value. These coins often suffered from heavy circulation, making high-grade examples particularly desirable. Key factors include:
Strike quality: Well-struck coins with full details on Liberty and the wreath command premiums.
Luster: Original mint luster, especially on the New Orleans issues, is highly prized.
Surface preservation: Minimal contact marks and abrasions increase desirability.
Toning: Natural, attractive toning can enhance value, particularly for the Philadelphia issues.
Mintage: 1,344,085
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, with higher demand for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 695,000
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS63 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, especially for high-grade examples
Mintmark rarity: The New Orleans (O) mintmark carries a premium due to lower mintage and historical significance.
Die state: Later die states showing signs of deterioration may interest variety collectors.
Historical context: As an early date in the Seated Liberty series and the first year for New Orleans, these coins hold special appeal for type set collectors and series specialists.
Preservation: Due to their small size and silver content, well-preserved examples are scarce, making high-grade specimens particularly valuable.
