Price Guide for 1879 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: $98.00 – $576.00Uncirculated: $336.00 – $25,850.00
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eBayCirculated: $250.00 – $595.00Uncirculated: $450.11 – $1,975.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $250.00 – $825.00Uncirculated: $850.00 – $35,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $236.00 – $1,650.00Uncirculated: $1.65 – $7,360.00
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eBayCirculated: $185.00 – $320.00Uncirculated: $349.99 – $2,950.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $250.00 – $425.00Uncirculated: $450.00 – $10,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $720.00 – $3,360.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $850.00 – $6,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $528.00Uncirculated: $544.03 – $4,112.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,350.00 – $2,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $4,320.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $357.00 – $4,600.00
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eBayUncirculated: $535.00 – $3,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $650.00 – $6,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,035.00 – $7,475.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,000.00 – $7,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $4,465.00 – $4,920.00
Design and Specifications of the 1879 Dime
The 1879 Seated Liberty Dime is part of the long-running Seated Liberty series, which began in 1837 and continued until 1891. This coin was minted during a period of economic recovery following the Panic of 1873, with the United States gradually returning to a bimetallic standard after years of paper money circulation.
The Seated Liberty design, featuring Liberty seated on a rock and holding a shield, symbolized the nation’s strength and stability. The reverse design, with its simple wreath, remained largely unchanged throughout the series’ run.
| Weight | 2.5 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17.9 mm |
| Mint Marks | P (Philadelphia, no mint mark), S (San Francisco) |
| 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 1879 dimes significantly impacts their value, particularly for the rare Philadelphia issue. Uncirculated examples of both mint marks are highly sought after, with premium prices paid for coins exhibiting strong strikes, full luster, and minimal contact marks.
For the Philadelphia issue, even circulated examples in Fine to Very Fine condition command substantial premiums due to the extremely low mintage. The San Francisco coins are more available in circulated grades but become scarce in Uncirculated condition.
Mintage: 14,000
Rarity Scale: Rare
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant reported
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 1,100,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant reported
Market Demand: Moderate to High, depending on condition
Toning can play a significant role in the desirability of 1879 dimes. Coins with attractive, natural toning often command premiums over untoned examples. The quality of strike is also important, with well-struck coins showing full details on Liberty’s head and hand, as well as the shield, being more valuable.
For the Philadelphia issue, the extreme rarity in all grades means that even heavily circulated examples are valuable to collectors. Provenance can also add value, especially for high-grade examples with a history of belonging to notable collections.
