Price Guide for 1881 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: $127.00 – $685.00Uncirculated: $2.10 – $11,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $10.50 – $750.00Uncirculated: $425.00 – $1,800.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $250.00 – $850.00Uncirculated: $900.00 – $16,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $240.00 – $1,760.00Uncirculated: $1.15 – $14,950.00
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eBayUncirculated: $290.00 – $3,430.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $350.00 – $425.00Uncirculated: $450.00 – $10,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $216.00 – $748.00Uncirculated: $444.00 – $3,840.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $300.00 – $11,400.00
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eBayUncirculated: $610.00 – $1,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $650.00 – $15,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,035.00 – $5,640.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,500.00 – $15,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $504.00 – $2,040.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $600.00 – $625.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,781.60
Design and Specifications of the 1881 Dime
The 1881 Seated Liberty Dime was part of the long-running Seated Liberty series, which began in 1837 and continued until 1891. This design, featuring Lady Liberty seated on a rock, was a significant departure from earlier coin designs and became iconic in American numismatics.
The year 1881 saw the United States in a period of economic growth and westward expansion, with the coin playing a crucial role in everyday commerce.
| Weight | 2.5 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17.9 mm |
| Mint Marks | Philadelphia (no mint mark), New Orleans (O), 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 1881 Seated Liberty Dime significantly impacts its value. Coins in higher grades, particularly those in Mint State (MS) condition, are much rarer and more valuable. The Philadelphia issue, with its low mintage, is especially sensitive to condition.
For all mint marks, coins with strong strikes, full luster, and minimal contact marks command premium prices. Toning can also affect value, with attractive, natural toning often enhancing a coin’s desirability.
Mintage: 24,000
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant noted
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 789,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant noted
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for well-preserved examples
Mintage: 3,470,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Uncommon in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant noted
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for high-grade specimens
Provenance can play a role in an 1881 dime’s value, particularly for high-grade examples. Coins with a documented history of belonging to notable collections may command a premium.
The Philadelphia mint’s low mintage makes it a key date in the series, increasing its value across all grades. For the New Orleans and San Francisco issues, examples with strong, clear mint marks are often more desirable to collectors.
As with many 19th-century silver coins, the 1881 dime may exhibit die varieties. While not as prominent as in some other years, any significant die varieties could potentially increase a coin’s value to specialized collectors.
