12 Ultra-Rare Dime Coins Worth $234 Million : In the high-stakes world of numismatics, rare dime coins have emerged as both cultural relics and high-value investment assets. With only a handful of these prized specimens known to exist, their multimillion-dollar values continue to stun collectors and investors alike. Below, we explore 12 of the rarest and most valuable dime coins in American history.
Dimes That Redefined Numismatic Value
1894-S Barber Dime – The $2 Million Mystery
Only 24 were minted, and fewer than 10 remain today. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this coin’s scarcity and secretive origins have made it one of the most expensive dimes ever sold, with auction prices soaring to $2 million.
1873-CC No Arrows Seated Liberty Dime – A Western Rarity
With just one known specimen, this Carson City dime is arguably the rarest of them all. Believed to be worth millions, it’s a ghost coin that collectors dream of.
1796 Draped Bust Dime – The First U.S. Dime
As the first dime ever minted in the U.S., this coin had a modest mintage of 22,135, but pristine examples have commanded over $500,000, thanks to its historical and collectible importance.
1802 Draped Bust Dime – One of the Rarest of the Early Mint
With an extremely low survival rate, the 1802 Draped Bust Dime is nearly never seen at auction. When it does surface, its value often exceeds $500,000 due to its scarcity.
Essential Pieces for Elite Collections
1916-D Mercury Dime – A Key Date Worth Over $300,000
While millions were minted, only a fraction survive in pristine condition. A top-graded MS-67 FB version of this dime can bring in $300,000+, making it the crown jewel of the Mercury series.
1822 Capped Bust Dime – Ultra-Low Survival Rate
Although 100,000 were minted, very few examples exist today, especially uncirculated ones. High-grade coins can fetch $250,000+, due to their exceptional rarity.
1804 Draped Bust Dime – An Early American Treasure
This early 19th-century dime is rare due to its age and low mintage. Examples in top condition have fetched more than $300,000, solidifying its legacy in early U.S. coinage.
1829 Curl Base “2” Capped Bust Dime – Die Variety Premium
This unique die variety attracts variety specialists. In high grades, the Curl Base “2” version can bring $150,000+, driven by its design anomaly and condition rarity.
Carson City Classics & Southern Rarities: Western Legacy Coins
1871-CC Seated Liberty Dime – Carson City Scarcity
With fewer than 150 known to exist, this Carson City issue is incredibly hard to find, especially in higher grades. At auction, it can command over $400,000.
1874-CC Seated Liberty Dime – A Western Mint Gem
Mintage was just 10,817, and very few have survived in collectible grades. Premium specimens are valued at more than $200,000 due to limited supply and historical appeal.
1872-CC Seated Liberty Dime – Hard to Find, Harder to Afford
Low mintage (35,480) and high circulation rates make this dime exceedingly rare in mint-state. Values exceed $300,000 as demand far surpasses availability.
1860-O Seated Liberty Dime – Southern Mint Rarity
Struck just before the Civil War at the New Orleans Mint, this dime carries both historical weight and collector value. High-grade pieces have sold for $200,000 or more
These 12 dimes are not just pieces of silver — they are tangible links to America’s economic, political, and industrial past. For serious collectors and investors, owning one of these is like holding history in your hands.
1. 1894-S Barber Dime – The $2 Million Mystery
Only 24 pieces of the 1894-S Barber Dime were minted, with fewer than 10 known to exist today. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, these dimes have fetched up to $2 million at auction. The coin’s rarity is amplified by its mysterious production — allegedly struck for Mint officials or their friends.
2. 1873-CC No Arrows Seated Liberty Dime – A Western Rarity
Minted during the expansion of the American West, the 1873-CC No Arrows Seated Liberty Dime is a key rarity from the Carson City Mint. With just one known specimen, it is among the most elusive dimes ever produced. Valued in the multi-million-dollar range, it is a centerpiece of American numismatic lore.
3. 1916-D Mercury Dime – A Key Date Worth Over $300,000
While minted in larger quantities, the 1916-D Mercury Dime is scarce in high grades. A Mint State (MS-67 FB) specimen can command over $300,000 at auction. It is a critical “key date” coin in the Mercury dime series.
4. 1796 Draped Bust Dime – The First U.S. Dime
The 1796 Draped Bust Dime marks the first appearance of the dime in U.S. currency. With a mintage of only 22,135, high-grade examples have fetched over $500,000. Its historic significance and age make it a prized addition to any elite collection.
5. 1822 Capped Bust Dime – Ultra-Low Survival Rate
Though mintage records show 100,000, very few 1822 Capped Bust Dimes are known today. In pristine condition, they’ve sold for upwards of $250,000, primarily due to their extreme rarity in uncirculated grades.
6. 1871-CC Seated Liberty Dime – Carson City Scarcity
Produced in the early years of the Carson City Mint, the 1871-CC dime is rare in all conditions. With fewer than 150 surviving, especially in higher grades, it has achieved auction values over $400,000.
7. 1874-CC Seated Liberty Dime – A Western Mint Gem
Another rarity from the Carson City Mint, the 1874-CC Seated Liberty Dime had a mintage of only 10,817. Very few have survived in collectible condition, and top specimens command over $200,000.
8. 1804 Draped Bust Dime – An Early American Treasure
The 1804 Draped Bust Dime is coveted due to its early production and low mintage. Well-preserved examples have sold for more than $300,000, making it one of the most valuable dimes from the early 1800s.
9. 1829 Curl Base “2” Capped Bust Dime – Die Variety Premium
A fascinating die variety, the 1829 Curl Base “2” version of the Capped Bust Dime is highly sought after by variety collectors. In high grades, this dime can reach prices exceeding $150,000, depending on strike quality and preservation.
10. 1860-O Seated Liberty Dime – Southern Mint Rarity
Struck at the New Orleans Mint just before the Civil War, the 1860-O dime is a highly prized Southern rarity. High-grade versions have sold for $200,000 or more, and its historical context adds to its numismatic value.
11. 1802 Draped Bust Dime – One of the Rarest of the Early Mint
The 1802 Draped Bust Dime has one of the lowest survival rates among early dimes. It rarely appears in public auctions, and when it does, it can command over $500,000, especially in fine or better condition.
12. 1872-CC Seated Liberty Dime – Hard to Find, Harder to Afford
This Carson City rarity had a low mintage of 35,480. Because most entered circulation, mint-state examples are nearly impossible to find. Values for top specimens often exceed $300,000, and the demand far outweighs supply.
Dimes Worth Millions Are More Than Just Coins
These 12 rare dimes represent the pinnacle of American numismatics. Whether it’s the historical allure of the 1796 Draped Bust, the enigmatic origin of the 1894-S Barber, or the Western mint charm of Carson City issues, each coin tells a story of scarcity, craftsmanship, and investment-grade value. Collectors worldwide continue to chase these elusive treasures, knowing that ownership brings not just prestige, but a tangible piece of U.S. history.
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