1838 Seated Liberty Dime

About This Coin

The 1838 Seated Liberty Dime is a United States dime from the Seated Liberty Dimes 1837-1891 series — the second year of the series. In 1838, coins were struck at the Philadelphia and New Orleans Mints with a combined mintage of 6.4 million. This ranks 42nd of 55 years by total mintage, above the series median of 2.1 million. The obverse features Liberty seated on a rock, holding a pole surmounted by a Phrygian liberty cap in her left hand and a shield inscribed LIBERTY in her right and the reverse displays an agricultural wreath enclosing the denomination (through 1859) or a wreath enclosing ONE DIME with the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (1860-1891). Stars added to the obverse, a modification that would persist through multiple subtypes. Struck in white metal, weighing 2.67 grams, 17.9 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Collectors have identified 2 known die varieties for this date, including cud, split die. Across its variants, estimated values range from $42 to $7.1K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $165K in PR67 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht.