Liberty Seated Dime 1837—1891

The Liberty Seated Dime is a coin that was produced by the United States Mint from 1837 to 1891. It features a seated representation of Liberty on the obverse (front) and various designs on the reverse (back) depending on the year of issue. The coin gets its name from the depiction of Liberty seated on a rock.

The Liberty Seated Dime went through several design variations and modifications during its production years. Here's a brief overview of its history:

  The Liberty Seated Dime was designed by Chief Engraver Christian Gobrecht. The first design, known as the "No Stars" variety, was introduced in 1837 and featured no stars on the obverse. The reverse displayed a wreath surrounding the denomination.

In 1838, stars were added to the obverse of the coin, representing the number of states in the Union at the time. Initially, 13 stars were included, but as more states joined the Union, additional stars were added. The reverse design remained the same during this period.

In 1853, arrows were added on both sides of the date on the obverse to signify a reduction in weight due to changes in the Mint Act. This design change was accompanied by rays emanating from the wreath on the reverse. However, the rays were deemed difficult to strike, and they were removed after 1855.

In 1860, the legend on the obverse was changed from "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" to "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." In 1866, the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" was added to the reverse above the eagle.

The design of the Liberty Seated Dime remained relatively consistent during this period. However, there were minor modifications to the legend on the obverse. In 1873, the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" was moved to the obverse above Liberty. In 1874, the legend was changed to "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" again.

The Liberty Seated Dime series saw several mint marks used to indicate the location where the coin was minted, such as Philadelphia (no mint mark), New Orleans (O), San Francisco (S), and Carson City (CC). 

The Liberty Seated Dime was eventually replaced by the Barber Dime in 1892. However, its long production span and historical significance make it a popular choice among coin collectors today.

Key Dates

The 1838-O Liberty Seated Dime is considered a key date because it was the first year of production for the New Orleans Mint. It is relatively scarce and highly valued by collectors.

The 1844 Liberty Seated Dime is significant because it does not have the "IN GOD WE TRUST" motto on the reverse. This makes it one of the few dimes in the series without the motto, as it was added in 1866.

The 1851 Liberty Seated Dime is notable because it is believed that a small number of proof coins were struck that year. These proofs were not officially recorded in mint records, making them highly sought after by collectors.

The 1853-O Liberty Seated Dime is significant because it features arrows on both sides of the date and rays on the reverse. The rays were removed after 1855, making the 1853-O with rays a rare and desirable variety.

The 1871-CC Liberty Seated Dime is highly prized by collectors due to its association with the Carson City Mint. Coins minted at the Carson City Mint generally have low mintages, and the 1871-CC is no exception. It is considered one of the key dates of the series.

The 1873-CC Liberty Seated Dime is significant because it is the only year in which dimes were struck at the Carson City Mint without arrows flanking the date. It has a low mintage and is highly sought after by collectors.