Price Guide for 1871 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: $14.00 – $719.00Uncirculated: $129.00 – $9,600.00
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eBayCirculated: $14.05 – $550.00Uncirculated: $761.09
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $12.00 – $400.00Uncirculated: $500.00 – $42,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $26.00 – $50,600.00Uncirculated: $185.00 – $270,250.00
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eBayCirculated: $2,799.00 – $3,995.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,500.00 – $52,500.00Uncirculated: $62,500.00 – $250,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $16.00 – $998.75Uncirculated: $29.50 – $30,550.00
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eBayCirculated: $76.00 – $999.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $1,750.00Uncirculated: $2,000.00 – $38,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $184.00 – $633.00Uncirculated: $1.90 – $3,738.00
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eBayUncirculated: $265.00 – $599.99
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $350.00 – $425.00Uncirculated: $450.00 – $10,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $4,560.00 – $34,800.00
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eBayUncirculated: $189.00 – $1,399.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,314.00 – $30,000.00Uncirculated: $264,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $384.00 – $472.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $380.00 – $14,100.00
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eBayUncirculated: $555.00 – $1,140.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $700.00 – $11,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $660.00 – $10,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,500.00 – $12,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,400.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,080.00 – $4,335.60
Design and Specifications of the 1871 Dime
The 1871 Seated Liberty Dime was part of the long-running Seated Liberty series, which began in 1837 and continued until 1891. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, this coin represents a significant era in American numismatics, bridging the gap between early American coinage and the more modern designs of the late 19th century.
The year 1871 was notable as it marked the first full year of production for the Carson City Mint, which had opened in 1870. This addition to the U.S. Mint system reflected the growing importance of silver mining in the western United States, particularly in Nevada.
Weight | 2.49 grams |
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Diameter | 17.9 mm |
Mint Marks | Philadelphia (no mint mark), San Francisco (S), Carson City (CC) |
Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
Obverse Design | Seated Liberty design, featuring Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield and pole with a cap |
Reverse Design | Wreath surrounding the words "ONE DIME" |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1871 Seated Liberty Dimes significantly impacts their value, especially for the rarer mint marks. Uncirculated examples are scarce for all mint marks and command substantial premiums.
For the Carson City (CC) issue, even well-worn examples in Good condition are valuable due to the extremely low mintage. San Francisco (S) mint coins in high grades are also highly prized.
Collectors pay close attention to strike quality, luster, and the presence of original toning. Coins with sharp details, full luster, and attractive natural toning can command significant premiums over typical examples.
Mintage: 907,710
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, with higher demand for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 320,000
Rarity Scale: Rare
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved examples
Mintage: 10,817
Rarity Scale: Very Rare
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in any Mint State grade
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Very High, highly sought after by collectors
Mint mark rarity plays a crucial role in the value of 1871 dimes. The Carson City (CC) issue is the most valuable due to its extremely low mintage, followed by the San Francisco (S) mint coins.
Die varieties, while not as prominent in this year, can add value for specialist collectors. Any mint errors or unusual die states could potentially increase a coin’s value significantly.
The historical significance of the Carson City Mint’s early years adds to the appeal of CC-marked coins from this period, making them particularly desirable to collectors of western Americana and Carson City coinage.