1856-S 10C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Dimes 1837-1891

PCGS MS65

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PCGS MS64

PCGS MS63+

PCGS #:: 4613

Designer:: Robert Ball Hughes/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 17.90 millimeters

Weight:: 2.48 grams

Mintage:: 70,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $43,700 • MS65 • 02-24-2003 • Superior Galleries

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (4)

Major Varieties

1856-S 10C

Die Varieties

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

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Current Auctions - NGC Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

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	300	R-6.4	7 / 34 TIE	24 / 122 TIE
60 or Better	15	R-9.3	10 / 34 TIE	18 / 122 TIE
65 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 34 TIE	1 / 122 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	300
60 or Better	15
65 or Better	1

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.4
60 or Better	R-9.3
65 or Better	R-10.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	7 / 34 TIE
60 or Better	10 / 34 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 34 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	24 / 122 TIE
60 or Better	18 / 122 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 122 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65 PCGS grade	Superior 2/2003:1355, $43,700
2	MS64 PCGS grade	Bob R. Simpson Collection - Heritage 9/2010:3651 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 10/2014:98258, $19,975
2	MS64 PCGS grade
4	MS63+ PCGS grade
4	MS63+ PCGS grade
6	MS63 PCGS grade
6	MS63 PCGS grade
6	MS63 PCGS grade
9	MS62 PCGS grade
9	MS62 PCGS grade

#1 MS65 PCGS grade

Superior 2/2003:1355, $43,700

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

Bob R. Simpson Collection - Heritage 9/2010:3651 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 10/2014:98258, $19,975

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

#4 MS63+ PCGS grade

#6 MS63 PCGS grade

#9 MS62 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1856-S Dime is a true prize in the Seated Liberty Dime series. It is the first year in which the San Francisco Mint produced Dimes. The 1856-S Dime has a low mintage of only 70,000 pieces. It is decidedly rare in Mint State. Even low grade examples are scarcer and desirable.

The late Gene Gardner, one of the foremost collectors of Seated Liberty coinage, rated this date High R7 in Mint State. A small number of MS63 and MS64 examples exist, but the best is a single PCGS MS65 sold way back in 2003 for $43,700.

On this date, the central details are usually well-defined, but the denticles can often be soft or downright weak.