1870-S 10C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Dimes 1837-1891

PCGS MS66+

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PCGS MS66

PCGS #:: 4652

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 17.90 millimeters

Weight:: 2.48 grams

Mintage:: 50,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $25,300 • MS66 CAC • 09-22-2010 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (2)

Major Varieties

1870-S 10C

Die Varieties

1870-S 10C F-101, MPD

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	400	R-6.2	23 / 67 TIE	40 / 122 TIE
60 or Better	35	R-8.8	18 / 67	39 / 122
65 or Better	10	R-9.5	23 / 67 TIE	53 / 122 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	400
60 or Better	35
65 or Better	10

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.2
60 or Better	R-8.8
65 or Better	R-9.5

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	23 / 67 TIE
60 or Better	18 / 67
65 or Better	23 / 67 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	40 / 122 TIE
60 or Better	39 / 122
65 or Better	53 / 122 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Bob R. Simpson Collection - Heritage 9/2010:3677, $25,300 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part I - Heritage 6/2014:30266, $18,800 - D.L. Hansen Collection
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Goldbergs 9/2003:255, $9,775 - Heritage 7/2004:5778, $10,350 - Kagin's 3/2017:1150, $19,975
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Heritage 10/2001:5982, $5,060 - Heritage 11/2016:5196, $18,800
1	MS66 PCGS grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Bob R. Simpson Collection - Heritage 9/2010:3677, $25,300 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part I - Heritage 6/2014:30266, $18,800 - D.L. Hansen Collection

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Goldbergs 9/2003:255, $9,775 - Heritage 7/2004:5778, $10,350 - Kagin's 3/2017:1150, $19,975

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Heritage 10/2001:5982, $5,060 - Heritage 11/2016:5196, $18,800

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

#6 MS65 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1870-S Dime is a semi-scarce issue, in sharp contrast to just about every other denomination issued in San Francisco in 1870 (for example, the 1870-S Half Dime and Three-Dollar Gold piece are unique and the 1870-S Silver dollar is exceedingly rare). The San Francisco Mint produced 50,000 Dimes, virtually all of which entered circulation. A small quantity was preserved by collectors such that perhaps 20-30 Mint State examples are known today. Most of the known Mint State examples are well-preserved, usually in MS64 to MS65. The best examples are MS66, but only several are known in that grade.

The strike on the 1870-S Dime is often soft in the centers, particularly on the N of ONE and the IM of DIME.