Liberty Seated Dimes MS64 to MS66: Part 1

It is easy to assemble a type set of MS-64 to MS-66 grade Liberty Seated dimes. Collectors are generally happy with MS-64 to MS-66 grade coins, which are Choice to Gem Uncirculated and are often very attractive.

It is true that MS-60 to MS-63 grade coins, on average, are markedly less costly than MS-64 to MS-66 grade Liberty Seated dimes. Nevertheless, MS-60 to -63 grade Liberty Seated dimes typically have a lot of hairlines, very noticeable contact marks, and/or annoying discoloration. In the context of Liberty Seated coins, my opinion is that collectors should tend toward Very Fine to Extremely Fine (XF) grades or MS-64 to -66 grade coins.

An exception would be the collector who has the time, enthusiasm, and money to specialize in MS-67 and higher grade Liberty Seated dimes. It makes sense, though, to learn about MS-64 to -66 grade coins before deciding to collect MS-67 to -68 grade Liberty Seated dimes, which are extreme condition rarities.

In addition to this series on collecting MS-64 to -66 grade coins, I wrote guides to collecting circulated Liberty Seated dimes, with emphasis upon those in Very Fine to Extremely Fine (XF) grades. A decision as to whether to collect Very Fine to XF grade coins or MS-64 to -66 grade coins largely depends upon the personality, preferences and budget of the respective collector. Regarding any series of coins, there is no one collecting plan that is appropriate for everyone.

This discussion covers the first three types of Liberty Seated dimes, in MS-64 to -66 grades. In other articles, especially those about circulated Liberty Seated coins, there is much discussion about the historical and artistic characteristics of the different design types. Here, the focus is on the costs, availability and relative rarity of Liberty Seated dimes in MS-64 to -66 grades.

Of the thirteen design types of silver U.S. dimes, six have the Liberty Seated motif on the obverse (front of the coin). The present discussion concerns the first three of these six types.

5.   Liberty Seated, No Stars (1837-38)

6.   Liberty Seated with Stars and No Drapery (1838-40) 

7.   Liberty Seated with Stars and Drapery (1840-1853, 1856-60)

8.   Liberty Seated – Arrows & Stars on Obverse (1853-55)

9.   Liberty Seated – Legend on Obverse (1860-73, 1875-91)

10. Liberty Seated – Arrows & Legend on Obverse (1873-74)

Type #5 – Liberty Seated, No Stars (1837-1838)

Type #5 consists of just three dates: 1837 ‘Large Date,’ 1837 ‘Small Date’ and 1838-O. As the 1838-O is much more expensive in the MS-64 to -66 grade range, a 1837 is better suited for a type set. After all, only one coin of each type is needed for a type set, so there is no need to acquire one of the most expensive dates.

On Oct. 6, 2024, GreatCollections sold a CAC approved, PCGS graded MS-64 1837 ‘Large Date’ dime for $4,015. On Sept. 14, 2006, Heritage auctioned this same coin for $2,760. On Jan. 10, 2024, Heritage sold a different CAC approved, PCGS graded MS-64 1837 ‘Large Date’ dime for $4,080. The current CPG-CAC medium retail estimate for one of these is $4,200, though prices in transactions could be a little higher or substantially lower. No price guide can account for all variables. 

In MS-64 grade, the CAC populations for the 1837 ‘Large Date’ and ‘Small Date’ dimes are nearly the same. For the ‘Large Date’ dime, there are nine with CAC stickers of approval and one in a CACG holder. For the 1837 ‘Small Date’ in MS-64 grade, there are eight with CAC stickers and one in a CACG holder.

Most PCGS or NGC graded, pre-1965 U.S. coins may be submitted to the CAC office in New Jersey and will receive stickers if they qualify for CAC approval. The CACG office in Virginia Beach opened in 2023 and all U.S. coins may be submitted by members for grading and encapsulation. Therefore, CAC stickers are affixed in New Jersey and CACG holders originate in Virginia.

In MS-65, nineteen 1837 ‘Large Date’ dimes have received CAC stickers. Three have been CACG graded and encapsulated, for a total of twenty-two. The CAC population of 1837 ‘Small Date’ dimes in MS-65 is much lower; just five have qualified for stickers and one was CACG graded MS-65.

In MS-65 and higher grades, the 1837 ‘Small Date’ tends to bring a significant premium over the 1837 ‘Large Date.’ On Aug. 8, 2022, GreatCollections sold a CAC approved, NGC graded MS-65 1837 ‘Large Date’ for $5778.30. On Aug. 29, 2025, Stack’s Bowers auctioned a CAC approved MS-65 grade 1837 ‘Small Date’ dime for $10,500.

For MS-66 grade 1837 ‘No Stars’ dimes, the CPG-CAC medium retail price estimates of $16,000 for a ‘Large Date’ and $17,000 for a ‘Small Date’ might be too low. A collector interested in MS-66 to -67 grade 1837 Liberty Seated dimes may wish to consult an expert.

Public sale prices are listed here to provide an impression of the costs of building a type set of Liberty Seated dimes. Prices charged by dealers at coin shows and conventions may be higher or lower than auction prices, depending upon the coin, the seller and the situation. Moreover, I am not here recommending specific coins over others. I am encouraging coin buyers to learn about coins and markets for coins.

Type #6 – Liberty Seated with Stars and No Drapery (1838-1840)

Stars were added to the obverse in 1838. Many U.S. coin design types feature thirteen stars on the obverse or reverse as a tribute to the original thirteen states, which declared independence from Great Britain in 1776. CAC offices are located in two of those thirteen states, New Jersey and Virginia. The ‘Drapery’ concept is covered in my articles about circulated Liberty Seated dimes.

In MS-64 to -66 grades, an 1838 ‘Large Stars’ or an 1839 is usually selected for a type set. The CAC population of the 1838 ‘Large Stars’ dime is above one hundred and forty, including fifty-three in MS-64 to -66 grades.

In October 2023, the firm of Gerry Fortin sold a CAC approved, NGC graded MS-64 1838 ‘Large Stars’ dime for $2,000. Fortin had earlier sold this same coin for $2,100 in May 2021. The current CPG-CAC retail price estimate for this coin is $1,950. On Jan. 14, 2024, Heritage auctioned a CAC approved, PCGS graded MS-64 1839 for $2,400.

On Oct. 13, 2024, GreatCollections sold a CAC approved, PCGS graded MS-65 1838 ‘Large Stars’ dime for $2,599.30. In January 2023, the firm of Gerry Fortin sold a different CAC approved, PCGS graded MS-65 1838 ‘Large Stars’ dime for $3,678. Fortin sold the exact same coin, with the same PCGS serial number, in February 2018 for $2,750. From 2023 to 2025, the CPG-CAC retail value estimate for this has been $3,150. In January 2025, Gerry Fortin sold a CAC approved, PCGS graded MS-65 1839 for $3,750.

In September 2023, Gerry Fortin sold a CAC approved, NGC graded MS-66 1838 ‘Large Stars’ dime for $5,650. In May 2023, Fortin sold an NGC graded MS-66+ 1838 ‘Large Stars’ dime, with a CAC sticker, for $4,850.

Experts at the CAC office in New Jersey ignore the plus aspect of plus grades assigned by PCGS or NGC. For a coin to have a chance to be graded MS-66+ by CACG, there would be a need for it to be sent to the CAC office in Virginia Beach.

In March 2023, Stack’s Bowers sold a PCGS graded MS-66+ 1839 dime, with a CAC sticker, for $7,200. In August 2021, Heritage sold a different PCGS graded MS-66+ 1839 dime, with a CAC sticker, for $5,520.

An overall point is that it is not too difficult to acquire an 1838 ‘Large Stars’ dime or an 1839 in MS-64 to MS-66 grades. It might be harder to find a CAC approved MS-64 grade coin of this type than a MS-65 or MS-66 grade 1838 or 1839 dime. An interesting question, however, is whether the differences in quality are worth the differences in price for these, in the context of MS-64, MS-65 and -66 grade coins. There is no right or wrong answer to this question; it is a subjective issue.

Type #7 – Liberty Seated with Stars and Drapery (1840-1853, 1856-1860)

An odd and important historical aspect of Liberty Seated dimes of type #7 is that the dimes minted from 1840 to early 1853, those ‘without arrows,’ weigh more than the dimes minted from 1856 to 1860. Arrows were added in 1853 to indicate a significant reduction in the silver content of half dimes, dimes, quarters and half dollars.