1821 10C Small Date (Regular Strike)

Series: Capped Bust Dimes 1809-1837

PCGS MS66

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Small vs Large Date Comparison

PCGS MS66

PCGS #:: 94496

Designer:: John Reich

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 19.00 millimeters

Weight:: 2.70 grams

Mintage:: 1,186,512

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 89.2% Silver, 10.8% Copper

Auction Record:: $32,200 • MS67 • 01-09-2005 • Bowers & Merena

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (7)

Major Varieties

1821 10C Large Date
1821 10C Small Date

Minor Varieties

Die Varieties

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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	150	R-7.5	2 / 17 TIE	4 / 35 TIE
60 or Better	15	R-9.3	6 / 17	9 / 35
65 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 17 TIE	1 / 35 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	150
60 or Better	15
65 or Better	1

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-7.5
60 or Better	R-9.3
65 or Better	R-10.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	2 / 17 TIE
60 or Better	6 / 17
65 or Better	1 / 17 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	4 / 35 TIE
60 or Better	9 / 35
65 or Better	1 / 35 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	D. Brent Pogue Collection
2	MS65 PCGS estimated grade
3	MS64+ PCGS grade
4	MS64 PCGS grade	JR8, Heritage 9/2009:410
4	MS64 PCGS grade
6	MS63 PCGS grade
6	MS63 PCGS grade
6	MS63 PCGS grade
6	MS63 PCGS grade
6	MS63 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

D. Brent Pogue Collection

#2 MS65 PCGS estimated grade

#3 MS64+ PCGS grade

#4 MS64 PCGS grade

JR8, Heritage 9/2009:410

#4 MS64 PCGS grade

#6 MS63 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1821 Small Date Dime resulted from an interesting slip-up at the Mint. Instead of using the normal date punch for a Dime, the engraver picked up the date punch for a Quarter Eagle (the smallest-sized coin made in 1821). The result is an 1821 Dime with a date that is much smaller than normal, and which has a flat-base 2 instead of the usual curl-base. Surprisingly, three different obverse dies (out of eight) were made with the small date, resulting in three die varieties (LM-8, LM-9, and LM-10).

The Small Date version of the 1821 Dime is considerably scarcer than the Large Date. According to the PCGS Population Report (as of October 2011), PCGS had certified 62 Small Dates compared to 246 Large Dates. Among the Small Dates, 12 are Mint State and they range in grade from MS-62 to a single Gem in MS-66.

Sources and/or recommended reading: David J. David et al. Early United States Dime 1796-1837 (Ypsilanti, MI: John Reich Collectors Society, 1984).