Liberty Seated Dime
1838 to 1860 Stars
1853 to 1855 Arrows
1860 to 1891 Legend

In 1837, the Seated Liberty dime was introduced. This design was also used on the quarter, half, and dollar of the same period. The reverse of the coin was changed to display a wreath surrounding the words ONE DIME. A year later, stars were added on the obverse around the portrait. In 1853 arrows were placed at the date but these disappeared in 1856. A number of other minor variations appeared from time to time but only one significant change was made. In 1860 the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA were removed from the reverse and placed on the obverse. This issue survived with minor variations until 1891.

 A number of issues of this coin are quite valuable including the 1841 large O variation, the 1860-O issue, the 1865, 1866, and 1867 issues, the 1871-CC, 1872-CC, and 1873-CC issues, and the 1885-S. Especially valuable are the 1874-CC with arrows and the 1873-CC with no arrows variation. The latter coin is one of the most valuable in the world, with only one specimen known. It sold in August, 2012, for $1,840,000.

This coin is certified as AU58, stored in the D case. It cost me $65 and would be worth twice that if not cleaned and scratched.   This is the reverse of the coin at left. It shows the wreath that was used in the later years of mintage.

                                                                   
I have an 1850 example with stars worth about $30; the coin above, with arrows, cost me $17 and is worth $30, and I have an 1891 with the legend, worth about $20. These three are all stored in the U.S. Types album.   This is the reverse of the coin, taken years ago with film. It shows the wreath that was used at this time, as well as the words "United States of America" which were on the reverse at this time.