A series of Seated Liberty dime coins, made between 1859 and 1891, contain the 1860 10 Cent denomination. The coin, which has an estimated mintage of 606,000 and was produced in Philadelphia with the title of Business (MS) strike, is made up of 90% silver and 10% copper.
History of 1860 Liberty Seated Dime
“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” which used to be on the reverse side of the dime, was added instead of the stars on the obverse in 1860 to provide space for an elaborate new wheat wreath. The 1860–1891 large, narrow letters show Paquet’s influence. Philadelphia and New Orleans changed to the latest design in 1860, but San Francisco maintained to issue dimes in the earlier pattern.
Although well-struck and rare, Mint State pieces are less common than damaged 1860(P) dimes. The F-106, which reverses in Liberty’s lips and the legend, is the most popular design. These changes show how the U.S. Mint’s visual identity changed quickly before the Civil War, an important period in American history.
Specification:
- Category: Seated Liberty Dimes (1837-1891)
- Mint: Philadelphia
- Mintage: 606,000
- Obverse Designer: James B. Longacre
- Reverse Designer: James B. Longacre
- Composition: Silver
- Fineness: 0.9
- Weight: 2.49g
- ASW: 0.0723oz
- Melt Value: $2.15 (6/25/2024)
- Diameter: 17.9mm
- Edge: Reeded
Basic Design:
Obverse: On the obverse side, the Lady Liberty is placed on a rock, having a staff, and holding a shield with the text LIBERTY on a flowing ribbon. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA decorate the periphery. The date is shown at the bottom center.
Reverse: ONE DIME shows centered on the reverse side of the coin and also surrounded by a wreath secured by a bow at the bottom.
Value of 1860 Liberty Seated Dime
According to the NGC Price Guide, a Seated Liberty Dime from 1860 in the circulated condition is worth between $10 and $180 as of June 2024. However, 1860 Dimes in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $14500 on the open market.
Also Read – 1893 CC Morgan Silver Dollar: A Guide for Coin Enthusiasts
Bottom Line:
The Seated Liberty Dime is the most easily obtained of all the Seated Liberty coins. In a decent grade, the prices are somewhat high, but are much more within reach than the quarter, half, or dollar. Although there are many dedicated collectors of the Seated Liberty Dime as well as other Seated Liberty coins, a majority of collectors who buy them are more interested in 19th-century coins or their specific designs. Either way, every coin collector should have at least one nice high-grade example of this beautiful coin.