Price Guide for 1888 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: $12.00 – $960.00Uncirculated: $2.00 – $6,600.00
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eBayCirculated: $12.50 – $200.00Uncirculated: $71.09 – $610.99
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $12.00 – $185.00Uncirculated: $200.00 – $7,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1.50 – $8,050.00
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eBayUncirculated: $356.00 – $1,204.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $350.00 – $425.00Uncirculated: $450.00 – $5,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $0.95 – $209.00Uncirculated: $2.25 – $10,575.00
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eBayCirculated: $13.05 – $257.20Uncirculated: $382.09 – $3,050.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $12.00 – $400.00Uncirculated: $500.00 – $16,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $141.00
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eBayCirculated: $133.50
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $9,987.50
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eBayUncirculated: $165.78 – $303.43
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $500.55
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $8,812.50
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $10,575.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $552.00 – $8,700.00
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eBayUncirculated: $745.00 – $921.20
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $650.00 – $15,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $960.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,325.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,750.00 – $2,500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1888 Dime
The 1888 Seated Liberty Dime is 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 represented a more mature artistic style in American coinage.
The year 1888 was notable for being near the end of the Seated Liberty series, as the design would be replaced by the Barber dime just three years later. This period also saw increased silver production in the United States, which affected the nation’s monetary policy and coin production.
| Weight | 2.5 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 17.9 mm |
| Mint Marks | P (Philadelphia, no mint mark), O (New Orleans), S (San Francisco) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
| Reverse Design | Wreath surrounding 'ONE DIME', designed by Christian Gobrecht |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of an 1888 Seated Liberty Dime significantly impacts its value and desirability among collectors. Coins in uncirculated condition (MS60 and above) are particularly valuable, with premium prices for those grading MS65 or higher.
Key factors affecting condition include:
1. Strike quality: Well-struck coins with full details are more desirable.
2. Luster: Original mint luster adds significant value.
3. Surface preservation: Fewer marks, scratches, and abrasions increase value.
4. Toning: Natural, attractive toning can enhance a coin’s appeal and value.
For circulated coins, grades like Fine, Very Fine, and Extremely Fine can still command respectable prices, especially for the scarcer mint marks.
Mintage: 5,495,655
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 2,150,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate to High, especially for high-grade examples
Mintage: 1,720,000
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, particularly for well-preserved examples
Additional factors that can affect the value of an 1888 Seated Liberty Dime include:
1. Mint mark: San Francisco (S) and New Orleans (O) issues are generally more valuable than Philadelphia issues due to lower mintages.
2. Die varieties: While no major varieties are known for this year, subtle die differences can interest specialized collectors.
3. Historical significance: As one of the later issues in the Seated Liberty series, it holds interest for type collectors.
4. Overall eye appeal: Coins with attractive coloration and minimal distracting marks often command premiums.
5. Provenance: Coins with a known history of ownership, especially from famous collections, may have added value.
Collectors should be aware that cleaned or damaged coins are significantly less valuable, even if they appear to be in high grade. Authentication is also crucial, as high-value examples are sometimes targeted by counterfeiters.
