PCGS MS64
PCGS MS63
- PCGS #:
- 4634
- Designer:
- James Barton Longacre
- Edge:
- Reeded
- Diameter:
- 17.90 millimeters
- Weight:
- 2.48 grams
- Mintage:
- 172,500
- Mint:
- San Francisco
- Metal:
- 90% Silver, 10% Copper
- Auction Record:
- $49,938 • MS66 • 06-23-2014 • Heritage Auctions
Major Varieties
- 1861-S 10C
Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More
| Survival Estimate | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 250 |
| 60 or Better | 10 |
| 65 or Better | 2 |
| Numismatic Rarity | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | R-6.6 |
| 60 or Better | R-9.5 |
| 65 or Better | R-9.9 |
| Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 4 / 67 TIE |
| 60 or Better | 6 / 67 |
| 65 or Better | 6 / 67 TIE |
| Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 11 / 122 TIE |
| 60 or Better | 13 / 122 TIE |
| 65 or Better | 18 / 122 TIE |
Condition Census What Is This?
| #1 MS66 PCGS grade |
| #2 MS65 PCGS grade |
|
#2 MS65 estimated grade
Superior 1/2003:441 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30260, $49,937.50 |
| #4 MS64 PCGS grade |
| #5 MS63 PCGS grade |
| #6 MS62 PCGS grade |
| #6 MS62 PCGS grade |
| #8 MS61 PCGS grade |
| #9 MS60 PCGS grade |
The 1861-S Dime is much more scarce than the mintage indicates, as is the case with many of the S-Mint issues of this era. The dearth of collectors on the West coast meant the coins circulated until they wore out or were lost. Thus, a coin from the San Francisco Mint will have a lower survival rate than the a coin of the same date and similar mintage from the Philadelphia Mint. Also, few collectors existed in the San Francisco area, thus fewer high-grade coins were preserved.
Mint State 1861-S Dimes are truly rare and they are seldom nice enough to be called choice. PCGS and NGC have each graded an MS66 example, with very little underlying support. The strike is decent, in general, though the details became mushy as the dies wore out. Die clashing is sometimes seen on the left side of the obverse.
Gerry Fortin has identified two different die varieties for this year. Assuming no more varieties are discovered, this gives an average die life of 86,250 coins.