This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. Precious metals prices fluctuate; past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions.
Tap the image to enlarge and zoom.Hover to magnify, or click to open full screen.
The 1842 Liberty Seated dime sits quietly in most old coin jars and inherited collections, overlooked next to flashier dates. It carries real silver content, honest 19th century history, and a price that most small-silver collectors can actually afford. Struck at both Philadelphia and New Orleans, this dime is an early example of the Liberty Seated design, and it rewards a closer look rather than a quick dismissal.
What Is the 1842 Liberty Seated Dime?
The 1842 Liberty Seated dime is a 90% silver, 10% copper coin from the Liberty Seated dime series, which ran from 1837 to 1891. It weighs 2.67 grams, measures 17.9 mm across, and has a reeded edge.
This date falls into the Stars on Obverse subtype, used from 1838 through 1853. Liberty sits on a rock with stars circling the rim, and there is no motto and no arrows at the date, features that show up on later dimes in the series. Philadelphia struck coins with no mintmark, while New Orleans coins carry a small "O" on the reverse.
How Much Silver Is in an 1842 Liberty Seated Dime?
An 1842 Liberty Seated dime contains about 0.07234 troy oz of pure silver, roughly 2.248 grams. That figure comes straight from the coin's 90% silver composition applied to its 2.67 gram total weight.
At today's silver spot price of $60 per ounce at the time of writing, that works out to a melt value of about $4.34 (0.07234 x $60). That number moves with the market, so it is only a snapshot, not a fixed value. For a broader look at how mintage and metal content play into value across the series, see this guide to dime values and history, and for a rundown of which dimes actually contain silver, check how much silver is in a dime.
Is the 1842 Liberty Seated Dime Rare?
No, the 1842 Liberty Seated dime is not a rare date. Philadelphia struck 1,887,500 pieces and New Orleans struck 2,020,000, both solid mintages for the era.
What is scarce is not the date itself but certain combinations of grade and originality. A well-preserved, problem-free circulated coin, or a Mint State example, especially from New Orleans, is a lot harder to find than the raw mintage numbers suggest. This same pattern shows up across other mid-1800s coinage. If you enjoy comparing common dates against genuinely tough ones, the 1867 Indian Head Cent value guide and the 1934 Washington Quarter value guide cover similar ground for other denominations from nearby decades.
1842 Philadelphia vs 1842-O New Orleans: What's the Difference?
The core difference is the mint of origin, marked by the presence or absence of an "O" mintmark, and that difference tends to shape collector demand. Both coins share the same design, weight, and silver content, but the market treats them differently.
Feature
1842 Philadelphia
1842-O New Orleans
Mintmark
None
O (reverse)
Mintage
1,887,500
2,020,000
Design type
Stars on Obverse
Stars on Obverse
Typical collector interest
Common type-set choice
Often more sought after in mintmarked sets
Higher-grade availability
Available, still limited at top grades
Scarcer at high grades, larger price jumps
Because New Orleans coins were often shipped and circulated harder in southern trade routes, problem-free examples in higher grades tend to bring stronger bids at auction and in dealer inventory. Philadelphia coins remain the more budget-friendly pick for anyone assembling a basic Seated Liberty type set.
How Much Is an 1842 Liberty Seated Dime Worth?
An 1842 Liberty Seated dime in worn, low-grade condition usually sells for a modest premium over its silver melt value, while sharp, original circulated pieces and graded high-grade coins can sell for considerably more. Grade, originality, and mintmark all move the price far more than the date alone.
Heavily worn or damaged coins sit closest to melt, sometimes just a few dollars over the silver content. Coins with clear detail, original surfaces, and no cleaning or damage climb quickly in value, and Mint State examples, particularly 1842-O pieces, can command prices many times higher than circulated pieces at dealer and auction listings. Because retail asking prices can run higher than what coins actually sell for, comparing several recent sale results gives a more honest read on current value than a single price tag.
How Do I Know if My 1842 Dime Is Valuable?
You determine value by checking the mintmark, grading the coin's wear, and inspecting the surfaces for cleaning or damage before comparing it against recent sale prices, not asking prices. A magnifying glass and good light go a long way here.
Look for the "O" mintmark on the reverse, below the wreath, to identify New Orleans coins
Check high-wear points first: Liberty's head, the gown folds, and the stars, since detail disappears there before anywhere else
Look for original gray or darker toning rather than bright, stripped, or shiny surfaces, which usually signal cleaning
Watch the rims for flatness, nicks, or old repairs that reduce eye appeal
Compare your coin against several completed sale records rather than single retail listings
Consider a professional grading service opinion from PCGS or NGC once you suspect a coin is a genuine high-grade or scarce piece
If you are new to this kind of research, a short primer on what a numismatist actually does helps explain how professional collectors approach grading and valuation. A local dealer can also walk you through what to expect from a coin dealer appraisal before you decide to sell or hold.
Common Misconceptions About the 1842 Liberty Seated Dime
The biggest misconception is that 1842 is a rare date. It is not; both mints produced well over a million coins each, and circulated examples turn up regularly in old collections and estate lots.
Another common mistake is assuming any old silver coin trades close to melt value. The numismatic premium on a nice circulated or graded 1842 dime can be several times its melt value, especially for the New Orleans issue. Some buyers also treat the 1842 and 1842-O as interchangeable, but they are separate mint products with different survival rates in top condition and different demand from mintmark collectors. Finally, cleaning is often dismissed as harmless on old silver, when in reality a cleaned coin usually sells for noticeably less than one with original surfaces, even if the wear level looks similar.
Where Can I Sell an 1842 Liberty Seated Dime or Other Seated Dimes?
You can sell an 1842 Liberty Seated dime either in person at a coin shop or precious metals dealer, or by mail through an insured mail-in service if you are not local to one. Both routes work, but the right choice depends on the coin's condition and how much research you have already done.
For common, low-grade circulated coins, a straightforward sale to a dealer who buys silver coins is usually the simplest path. For sharper, potentially higher-grade pieces, especially 1842-O examples, it is worth getting an opinion on grade and originality before selling, since the difference between a average circulated grade and a nicer one can change the offer significantly. Reading up on common mistakes first-time silver sellers make before you sell can also help you avoid leaving money on the table.
Why Choose Accurate Precious Metals for Buying or Selling Your Seated Dime
Accurate Precious Metals is a specialized precious metals dealer based in Salem, Oregon, in business since 2012 and over 1,000 five-star customer reviews. We are not a pawn shop, and we do not treat coins as generic scrap; our team inspects each piece for metal content, wear, and originality before making an offer.
Whether you are looking to buy an 1842 Liberty Seated dime for a type set, add to a broader collection of silver coins, or sell dimes and other Seated Liberty pieces you have inherited, we offer a straightforward process built on current spot pricing and fair, competitive offers. As an NGC Authorized dealer, we can also help direct pieces toward grading when it makes sense for a coin's value. Local collectors in the Salem area are welcome to visit our physical location for in-person appraisal and sale, while customers anywhere in the country can use our free insured mail-in service to sell silver coins for cash without leaving home. Beyond dimes, our inventory spans gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and copper across coins, bars, and bullion, plus diamonds and jewelry, and we support retirement investors through Gold and Silver IRA services. For collectors specifically looking to liquidate Seated Liberty coinage, our page on how to sell silver coins for cash walks through what to expect from start to finish, and if you also hold Liberty Seated dollars, our guide on Liberty Seated Dollar history and value covers that larger companion series.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an 1842 Liberty Seated dime worth today?
Common circulated examples typically sell for a modest premium over silver melt value, while sharp circulated coins and professionally graded high-grade pieces, especially 1842-O, can sell for significantly more; melt value alone is about $4.34 based on silver at $60 per ounce at the time of writing.
Is the 1842 Liberty Seated dime made of real silver?
Yes, it is struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 2.67 grams total.
How much silver does an 1842 dime actually contain?
It contains about 0.07234 troy oz of pure silver, equal to roughly 2.248 grams of silver content.
Is the 1842 Liberty Seated dime a rare coin?
No, mintages of 1,887,500 at Philadelphia and 2,020,000 at New Orleans were both substantial, though nicer grades and the New Orleans issue can be much scarcer than the raw mintage suggests.
What does the "O" mintmark mean on an 1842 dime?
The "O" indicates the coin was struck at the New Orleans Mint rather than Philadelphia.
Should I clean my 1842 Liberty Seated dime before selling it?
No, cleaning almost always lowers a coin's value because it strips original surfaces that collectors and dealers look for; leave the coin as found.
Where can I sell my 1842 Liberty Seated dime for a fair price?
You can sell it in person at a specialized precious metals dealer or through an insured mail-in service if you are not local, and comparing an offer against recent sold prices helps confirm it is fair.
Make the smart choice — invest with Accurate Precious Metals
Whether you are buying bullion for the first time or adding to a long-term position, our team offers expert guidance, transparent pricing, and a reliable buyback program.
