Seated Liberty Dimes 1837-1891

About This Series

Christian Gobrecht's Seated Liberty figure graced the American dime for over half a century, producing the longest-running design in the denomination's history. Authorized under the Coinage Act of 1837, the series was struck in 90% silver at 2.49 grams and 17.9 mm diameter. Four major subtypes organize the series: No Stars obverse (1837-1838), Stars obverse (1838-1860), Arrows at date (1853-1855, signaling a weight reduction under the Act of February 21, 1853), and Legend obverse (1860-1891). Branch mint production at New Orleans, San Francisco, and Carson City generated numerous scarce issues, with the 1860-O, 1871-CC, 1872-CC, and 1873-CC Without Arrows standing as significant key dates. Carson City dimes from the early 1870s are particularly elusive due to extremely low mintages. The reverse wreath evolved from simple laurel to a cereal wreath in 1860. Die variety specialists actively study repunched dates and mintmarks across this complex series.

Series Information