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The 1835 Capped Bust dime is a 90% silver-era U.S. coin struck only at the Philadelphia Mint, with a mintage of 1,410,000 pieces and a design showing Liberty in a soft cap on the obverse. Most surviving examples are affordable in worn grades, but the coin becomes genuinely scarce once you move into Mint State condition, which is where real collector money starts to show up.
This guide covers the coin's history, its design, the varieties collectors chase, and what actually drives its value today. We will also walk through melt value using current silver spot prices, how to spot problem coins, and what to do if you are thinking about selling one.
What Is an 1835 Capped Bust Dime?
The 1835 Capped Bust dime is a 10-cent silver coin designed by John Reich, struck exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint with no mint mark. It belongs to the Capped Bust dime series produced from 1809 to 1837, and the 1835 date falls within the later, smaller-diameter format used from 1828 to 1837.
Each coin weighs 2.67 grams and measures 18.5 mm across, with a reeded edge. The composition is 89.2% silver and 10.8% copper, a standard alloy for U.S. silver coinage of the period. Philadelphia struck 1,410,000 of these dimes in 1835, a solid mintage for the era that explains why circulated examples remain widely available today.
1,410,000
Mintage in 1835
2.67 g
Total coin weight
89.2%
Silver content
18.5 mm
Diameter
What Is the History Behind the 1835 Capped Bust Dime?
The Capped Bust dime design debuted in 1809 and ran through 1837, with the 1835 issue belonging to the later small-size format adopted in 1828. John Reich created the original design, showing Liberty facing left wearing a soft cap inscribed with the word "LIBERTY," surrounded by stars with the date at the bottom.
The reverse carries a heraldic eagle holding a shield, arrows, and an olive branch, with "10 C." denoting the denomination at the bottom. This was the standard for U.S. silver coinage before the Seated Liberty design took over in 1837 and 1838. By modern collecting definitions the alloy qualifies as a silver coin, though bullion-era standards would classify the 10.8% copper content differently than today's .999 fine silver bullion products.
What Varieties Exist for the 1835 Capped Bust Dime?
Collectors attribute 1835 Capped Bust dimes primarily by die marriage, using the JR numbering system created by specialists like John Reich collectors and researchers. JR-5 is one documented marriage that shows up regularly in dealer and auction listings, but there are several others cataloged for this date.
Because Philadelphia was the only mint striking dimes in 1835, there are no mint-mark variants to track, unlike later dime series where you might compare Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco output. The main differences among 1835 dimes come down to die state, strike quality, and which die pairing produced the coin.
Regular strike circulation coins, the type most collectors encounter
Die-marriage varieties such as JR-5, tracked by specialists for research and premium pricing
Proof strikes, an entirely separate and far scarcer category
Strike quality differences, since early silver coinage often shows weak details in certain areas
Proof examples deserve special mention. Circulation-strike 1835 dimes are common in worn grades, but 1835 proof Bust dimes are dramatically rarer. Greysheet pricing references place proof values in the five-figure range, a different market entirely from the average circulated coin.
How Much Is an 1835 Capped Bust Dime Worth?
An 1835 Capped Bust dime is typically worth $40 to $50 in worn Good condition, climbing to roughly $125 in VF and $285 in XF, with Mint State examples reaching $1,000 to $2,000 or more depending on grade. Grade is by far the single biggest factor in what a buyer will pay.
Grade
Typical Value
Good
About $45
Very Fine (VF)
About $125
Extremely Fine (XF)
About $285
Mint State (MS60)
About $1,000
Mint State (MS63)
About $2,000
PCGS notes that this issue is genuinely scarce in Mint State, with gem-quality coins rare and top-certified examples much scarcer still. PriceCharting's broader market data shows the same pattern: a modest circulated baseline and a steep climb once a coin crosses into uncirculated territory. If you are trying to figure out where a coin you own might land, comparing it against certified population data and recent auction results for similar Bust-era dimes is a reasonable starting point. For a broader look at how grade and date affect dime values across different series, see our guide on dime values and history.
What Is the Melt Value of an 1835 Capped Bust Dime?
The melt value of an 1835 Capped Bust dime is about $4.49 at the time of writing, based on 0.0774 troy oz of silver content and a silver spot price of $58 per ounce. This number moves daily with the silver market, so it is only a snapshot, not a fixed figure.
Melt value matters as a price floor, not a ceiling. A worn, low-grade 1835 dime with no collector appeal might sell close to its silver content. But almost any coin in decent condition, and certainly anything above Good or Very Good, will sell for well above melt because of numismatic demand. Collector premium on this series routinely runs many times the raw silver value once grade and eye appeal enter the picture.
If you are curious how silver spot price movements affect a whole collection of old dimes, quarters, or half dollars, it helps to check current pricing before selling anything. Our team tracks live silver coin pricing daily, and you can browse our full silver bullion category to see how spot price connects to product premiums across different silver items.
What Drives the Value of an 1835 Capped Bust Dime?
Grade is the dominant factor, but eye appeal, strike quality, variety, and surface condition all layer on top of it to determine final price. Two coins in the same numeric grade can sell for very different amounts depending on these secondary factors.
Grade: the single biggest driver of value across the entire Bust dime series
Eye appeal: original surfaces and attractive natural toning add real premium
Strike quality: weak strikes were common in early silver coinage and can hurt visual appeal even in higher grades
Die variety: scarcer JR marriages can command more than common ones
Proof status: a completely separate, far more expensive category
Problem-free surfaces: cleaning, scratches, corrosion, and rim damage cut value sharply, sometimes by more than half
A coin with original, untouched surfaces almost always outsells a "cleaned" coin of the same technical grade. Cleaning strips away the natural patina that graders and collectors look for, and it is one of the fastest ways to destroy numismatic value even on a genuinely old, genuinely silver coin.
How Can You Tell If an 1835 Dime Is Genuine?
You can check authenticity on an 1835 Capped Bust dime by verifying its weight at 2.67 grams, its diameter at 18.5 mm, and confirming it has a reeded edge with correct Capped Bust design elements. Any meaningful deviation from these specs is a red flag.
Checking an 1835 Bust Dime
1
Weigh the coin Should read 2.67 grams on a calibrated scale
2
Measure the diameter Should measure 18.5 mm across
3
Inspect the edge Should be reeded, not plain or lettered
4
Check the design Liberty in a cap facing left, heraldic eagle reverse with "10 C."
5
Look under magnification Use a loupe to check for tooling, filing, or added detail
A jeweler's loupe is useful for checking hair detail on Liberty, feather detail on the eagle, and the rim for signs of filing or tooling that might indicate an altered date or added mint mark. Since this issue was struck only at Philadelphia, any coin claiming a mint mark for this date should raise immediate suspicion. When in doubt, comparing your coin against certified examples or having it evaluated by an experienced numismatist is the safer route than guessing from photos online.
Common Misconceptions About the 1835 Capped Bust Dime
Not every 1835 dime is rare, and not every shiny old dime is valuable, two of the most persistent myths in early U.S. coin collecting. Circulated examples of this date are genuinely common and sell close to modest retail prices.
"All 1835 dimes are rare." False. Circulated coins are available and affordable; the real scarcity shows up in Mint State.
"Silver melt tells the whole story." False. Collector premium frequently runs many times higher than raw silver content.
"No mint mark means less collectible." False. Philadelphia-only status has nothing to do with this issue's value, which comes from age, type, and condition rarity.
"Any shiny old dime is worth a lot." False. A bright, cleaned coin often sells for far less than a naturally toned, uncleaned example.
"There are multiple mint marks to find." False. The 1835 Capped Bust dime was struck only in Philadelphia.
What Are Practical Tips for Collectors Buying This Coin?
Buy 1835 Capped Bust dimes by comparing them against certified population data, checking for original surfaces, and verifying weight and diameter before paying a premium price. Bust dimes are heavily grade-sensitive, so a small difference in condition can mean a large difference in price.
Compare raw coins against certified examples in the same claimed grade before buying
Avoid coins with bright, unnatural surfaces, which often signal cleaning
Confirm weight and diameter match the 2.67 g and 18.5 mm standard
Learn the basics of the JR die-marriage system if you plan to collect varieties seriously
Use a loupe to check rims, hair detail, and eagle feathers for tooling or repair
If you are new to early American silver coins, reading up on how rarity and scarcity affect pricing across the whole numismatic market can help set realistic expectations. Our article on rare coin investing and scarcity breaks down how these forces work beyond just this one date.
How Do You Sell an 1835 Capped Bust Dime or Other Old Silver Coins?
You can sell an 1835 Capped Bust dime either in person at a local coin dealer or by mail through an insured shipping service that pays based on current spot prices and coin condition. Both paths work, but the right choice depends on your location and how much control you want over the process.
Local coin shops and pawn shops will make offers, but pricing and expertise vary widely from one shop to the next, and not every counter clerk is trained to spot a scarce die variety or an original-surface Mint State coin. That gap is exactly where a specialized dealer earns its keep.
Accurate Precious Metals is a precious metals and coin dealer based in Salem, Oregon, in business since 2012 and over 1,000 five-star customer reviews. We are not a pawn shop. We are a dedicated bullion and numismatic dealer, and we buy all forms of precious metals, including circulated and collectible U.S. silver coins like the 1835 Capped Bust dime, bullion coins and bars, scrap gold and silver, jewelry, dental scrap, and silverware.
As an NGC Authorized dealer, we also offer grading services for collectors who want a coin professionally reviewed before selling or adding it to a collection. If you are local to the Mid-Willamette Valley, you can bring your coin in for an in-person appraisal and offer at our Salem location. If you are anywhere else in the country, our mail-in service lets you ship your coin with free insured shipping and receive a fair offer based on current market pricing, without ever leaving home. For more on what a real coin appraisal involves, see our guide to coin dealer appraisals.
We also maintain pricing that reflects live spot prices for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, so the offer you receive is grounded in the actual market that day, not a guess. Whether you are holding one old dime or a full collection of early U.S. silver, checking with a dealer who understands both bullion value and numismatic premium gives you a clearer picture than melting it down blind. You can also review our page on selling silver coins near you or explore options to sell silver for cash if you are ready to move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an 1835 Capped Bust dime worth today?
Circulated examples typically sell for tens to low hundreds of dollars, while Mint State coins can reach $1,000 to $2,000 or more depending on grade and eye appeal.
How much silver is in an 1835 Capped Bust dime?
It contains 89.2% silver, equal to about 0.0774 troy oz of silver out of a 2.67-gram total weight.
How many 1835 Capped Bust dimes were made?
The Philadelphia Mint struck 1,410,000 pieces in 1835, with no other mint involved since branch mints did not yet exist for dime production.
What does an 1835 Capped Bust dime look like?
The obverse shows Liberty facing left wearing a soft cap, surrounded by stars with the date below, while the reverse features a heraldic eagle with a shield, arrows, olive branch, and "10 C." at the bottom.
Is the 1835 Capped Bust dime rare?
It is not rare in worn, circulated grades, but it becomes genuinely scarce in Mint State, with gem-quality examples considered rare by PCGS.
What is the current melt value of an 1835 dime?
At the time of writing, with silver at $58 per ounce, the melt value is about $4.49 based on 0.0774 troy oz of silver content.
Should I clean my old silver dime before selling it?
No. Cleaning typically lowers collector value even on a genuinely old silver coin, so it is best to leave the surfaces untouched and let a dealer assess it as-is.
How can I sell an 1835 Capped Bust dime for a fair price?
You can visit a specialized coin and precious metals dealer in person if one is nearby, or use an insured mail-in service to have the coin evaluated and receive an offer based on current market pricing.
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