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The 1874 Liberty Seated dime is a 90% silver coin from the short-lived "With Arrows" design, added to U.S. dime, quarter, and half dollar dies in 1873 and 1874 to flag a small weight change tied to the metric system. It looks almost identical to dimes from the years before and after it, except for two tiny arrows flanking the date. That small detail, plus a Carson City mintage under 11,000 pieces, makes this date one of the more interesting entries in the Liberty Seated series for collectors and sellers alike.
What Is the 1874 Liberty Seated Dime?
The 1874 Liberty Seated dime is a 10-cent silver coin struck at three U.S. Mint facilities, showing Christian Gobrecht's seated Liberty figure on the obverse and a wreath on the reverse. It belongs to the "With Arrows" subtype, meaning small arrowheads appear on either side of the date.
The composition is 90% silver and 10% copper, the standard silver coin alloy of the era. After an 1873 adjustment, the Mint set the standard weight at 38.58 grains, which equals exactly 2.5 grams. That precision to the gram was the point: Congress wanted U.S. silver coin weights to line up cleanly with the metric system used by much of the rest of the world.
Design elements stayed the same as earlier Seated Liberty dimes. The Mint did not redraw Liberty or change the wreath. It simply added arrows at the date to signal the new weight standard to the public and to bank tellers who weighed coins in bulk.
What Do the Arrows on the 1874 Liberty Seated Dime Mean?
The arrows on an 1874 Liberty Seated dime mark a weight change, not a special commemorative design. They told merchants and bankers that this dime weighed slightly more than earlier issues, following the 1873 metric-based adjustment to U.S. silver coinage.
Before 1873, dimes weighed a hair less. The new standard bumped the dime up to 38.58 grains, or 2.5 grams exactly, so that a set number of dimes would correspond neatly to a round metric weight. Quarters and half dollars got the same treatment, with their own arrow markings during 1873 and 1874.
Once the public and the banking system had adjusted to the new weight, the Mint dropped the arrows after 1874. There was no more need to flag anything, since the 2.5-gram standard had simply become the new normal. This is why "Arrows" dimes only exist for two years, 1873 and 1874, making them a distinct, short window within the broader Liberty Seated dime series that ran from 1837 to 1891.
It is worth being clear about the direction of the change too. The arrows did not signal a lighter coin. The dime actually got slightly heavier, from its earlier weight up to 38.58 grains, as part of the metric alignment.
How Many 1874 Liberty Seated Dimes Were Minted?
Three mints struck the 1874 Liberty Seated dime, and their mintages differ enormously. Philadelphia produced 2,940,700 pieces with no mintmark, San Francisco struck 240,000 pieces marked S, and Carson City struck only 10,817 pieces marked CC.
Mint
Mintmark
Mintage
Relative Rarity
Philadelphia
None
2,940,700
Common
San Francisco
S
240,000
Scarce
Carson City
CC
10,817
Key date, rare
That gap in numbers explains almost everything about how these three coins are priced today. The Philadelphia issue is plentiful enough that circulated examples show up regularly in dealer inventories and at coin shows. The San Francisco coin is a real step down in supply, and the Carson City coin is in a different category altogether.
For readers who want more background on the broader Seated Liberty design family, our guide to the 1853 Seated Liberty dime covers an earlier arrows subtype from two decades before, and our overview of the Liberty Seated Dollar traces the larger design across denominations.
Is the 1874-CC Liberty Seated Dime Rare?
Yes, the 1874-CC Liberty Seated dime is rare. PCGS describes it as the rarest of the 1874-1875 "With Arrows" dimes, and its mintage of 10,817 pieces is tiny compared to Philadelphia's nearly 3 million.
Carson City coins from the 1870s tend to survive in smaller numbers than their mintages alone would suggest, since western coins circulated hard and many were melted or lost over time. Add a limited original mintage on top of that, and you get a coin that is genuinely difficult to find in any grade, let alone a nice one.
This scarcity shows up directly in the market. Coin World has reported an 1874-CC dime graded Fair-2, meaning heavily worn with the date barely legible, selling for around $6,000. That kind of price for a coin in such rough shape tells you how much collectors want an example of this date, regardless of condition.
How Much Is an 1874 Liberty Seated Dime Worth?
An 1874 Liberty Seated dime's value depends heavily on which mint struck it and what grade it is in, ranging from a few dollars in melt value for a worn Philadelphia coin to several thousand dollars for an 1874-CC. The mintmark, more than any other factor, drives the price.
The Philadelphia issue is usually priced by grade rather than by rarity, since supply is not a limiting factor. A well-worn Philadelphia dime might sell close to its silver content, while a problem-free Mint State example can command a real premium over that.
The 1874-S sits in between. Numismatic News has noted that it can be underrated in Mint State, with fewer certified high-grade examples surviving than the 240,000 mintage might suggest. In heavily circulated grades it can still be a relatively affordable way to own a scarcer Seated dime.
The 1874-CC is the standout. Even low-grade, heavily worn coins can sell for thousands of dollars because so few exist and demand from Seated dime collectors is strong. Grade jumps translate into sharp price increases on this date in particular.
For a rough sense of bullion floor value, a dime weighing 2.5 grams at 90% silver contains about 2.25 grams, or roughly 0.072 troy ounces, of silver. At $60 per ounce for silver at the time of writing, that puts the melt value of a common, heavily worn 1874 dime at somewhere around $4 to $5. Anything above that reflects the coin's numismatic value as a collectible, not its metal content.
How Do I Identify the Mintmark on My 1874 Dime?
You identify the mintmark on an 1874 Liberty Seated dime by looking at the reverse, below the ribbon bow that ties the wreath. Philadelphia coins show no mintmark at all, San Francisco coins show a small S, and Carson City coins show CC.
A magnifying glass or coin loupe helps here, since the mintmark is small and can be worn down on heavily circulated coins. Given the difference in value between a Philadelphia dime and a Carson City dime, confirming the mintmark correctly matters more than almost any other identification step.
Look for two small arrowheads next to the date on the obverse to confirm it is the "With Arrows" subtype.
Flip the coin over and check directly below the bow at the base of the wreath.
No letters means Philadelphia. An S means San Francisco. CC means Carson City.
On worn coins, tilt the coin under a strong light to catch a faint or partially worn mintmark.
If the mintmark looks unusually large, oddly placed, or has tool marks around it, have it checked by a knowledgeable dealer before assuming it is genuine.
Common Misconceptions About the 1874 Liberty Seated Dime
The biggest misconception is that the arrows themselves make the coin rare. In reality, the arrows simply mark the 1873 weight adjustment tied to metric standardization, and the Philadelphia issue with arrows is quite common.
Another common assumption is that all 1874 dimes are valuable simply because of the date. That is not true. The Philadelphia coin, with nearly 3 million struck, is one of the more affordable Seated dimes from the entire series when found in circulated grades.
Some collectors also assume the Carson City coin is "just another mintmark," similar to how CC coins are treated for some other dates. That undersells it. The 1874-CC is a legitimate key date of the Liberty Seated dime series, and PCGS specifically calls out its rarity among the arrows-dated coins.
Finally, some people hear "metric adjustment" and assume the coin got lighter, since that is how many later metric conversions worked. Here it is the opposite. The 1874 dime weighs slightly more than its pre-1873 predecessor, at 38.58 grains or 2.5 grams exactly.
Tips for Buying an 1874 Liberty Seated Dime
Buying an 1874 Liberty Seated dime safely comes down to confirming the subtype, verifying the mintmark, and matching the price to the coin's actual condition and rarity. This matters most on the Carson City issue, where the price gap between genuine and altered coins is enormous.
Buying an 1874 Liberty Seated Dime
Pros
✓ Third-party graded coins reduce the risk of cleaning, damage, or an altered mintmark going unnoticed
✓ Comparing weight against the 2.5 gram standard can help flag coins worth a second look
✓ Established dealers can walk you through grade and eye appeal before you buy
Cons
✗ Uncertified "raw" coins carry more buyer risk, especially on the CC issue
✗ Prices can vary widely between sellers for the same nominal grade
✗ Cleaned or altered coins often look fine in photos but lose value once examined in hand
For any 1874-CC purchase, or any coin priced well above melt value, working with a dealer that offers grading services is a smart move. As an NGC Authorized dealer, Accurate Precious Metals can help buyers get a better read on a coin's condition before money changes hands, and our Numismatic Coins selection gives collectors a place to compare Seated dime listings against current market pricing.
How Do I Sell an 1874 Liberty Seated Dime?
You can sell an 1874 Liberty Seated dime either in person or by mail, and the process is straightforward whether you have a common Philadelphia coin or a valuable 1874-CC. What matters most is getting an offer that reflects the coin's actual rarity and condition rather than just its silver content.
Selling Your Seated Dime to Accurate Precious Metals
1
Get it looked at Bring the coin to our Salem, Oregon location or send clear photos so we can assess mintmark, wear, and overall condition
2
Get an offer We give a competitive offer based on current spot silver prices and the coin's numismatic factors, not just melt value
3
Choose your method Visit us in person if you are local, or use our insured mail-in kit if you are anywhere else in the country
4
Get paid Local visits mean same-day payment in many cases; mail-in orders are processed quickly once your coin arrives
Local sellers in the Salem area are welcome to bring coins directly to our shop for an in-person look, which is often the fastest way to get an offer on a potential key date like the 1874-CC. If you are not nearby, our mail-in service covers you with free insured shipping, so you are not out any cost or risk sending a coin across the country. Either way, our Sell to Us page and our page for selling silver coins for cash walk through what to expect.
Why Choose Accurate Precious Metals for Your Seated Dime
Accurate Precious Metals stands out among dealers handling Liberty Seated dimes because of its combination of numismatic knowledge, nationwide reach, and a track record built in business since 2012 with more than 1,000 five-star customer reviews. That mix matters when you are trying to figure out what an 1874-CC in worn condition is actually worth versus a common Philadelphia coin.
Many local coin shops and pawn shops can offer a quick cash number for old silver dimes, but they are not always set up to properly weigh a coin's rarity against its melt value, and pawn shops in particular are generally not focused on numismatic accuracy at all. Accurate Precious Metals is not a pawn shop. We are a dedicated precious metals dealer with an NGC Authorized dealer relationship for grading services, a physical Salem, Oregon location for in-person business, and an online storefront with pricing that reflects live spot prices for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
Beyond coins, our inventory covers gold and silver bullion, platinum and palladium products, diamonds, and jewelry, and we support Gold and Silver IRA services for retirement investors who want precious metals exposure. Whether you are looking to add a Seated dime to a collection, liquidate inherited coins, or simply sell your silver, our team and our Sell Your Silver For Cash service are built to handle it with fair, competitive pricing rather than guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the arrow on the 1874 Liberty Seated dime mean?
The arrows mark a small weight increase to 38.58 grains, or 2.5 grams, adopted in 1873 to align U.S. silver coins with the metric system.
How many 1874 Liberty Seated dimes were minted?
Philadelphia struck 2,940,700, San Francisco struck 240,000, and Carson City struck just 10,817.
Is the 1874-CC Seated dime rare?
Yes, PCGS identifies the 1874-CC as the rarest of the 1874-1875 "With Arrows" dimes, and even worn examples can sell for thousands of dollars.
How much is an 1874 Liberty Seated dime worth?
Value depends heavily on mintmark and grade; common Philadelphia coins are usually priced modestly above silver melt value, while 1874-CC coins can reach thousands of dollars even in low grades.
How do I tell if my 1874 dime is from Carson City?
Check the reverse below the ribbon bow for a "CC" mintmark; no mintmark means Philadelphia and an "S" means San Francisco.
Why does the 1874 dime weigh more than earlier Seated dimes?
The Mint raised the standard weight in 1873 to reach an exact 2.5 gram figure that matched metric weight standards used internationally.
What is the silver melt value of an 1874 Liberty Seated dime?
At 90% silver and 2.5 grams total weight, the dime contains about 0.072 troy ounces of silver, worth roughly $4 to $5 at a $60 per ounce silver spot price at the time of writing.
Where can I sell an 1874 Liberty Seated dime for cash?
You can visit Accurate Precious Metals in person in Salem, Oregon, or use our insured mail-in kit if you live elsewhere in the United States.
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