Obverse. Image Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com)
  • 10 Cents 1875-1891, KM# A92, United States of America (USA)
  • 10 Cents 1875-1891, KM# A92, United States of America (USA)
  • 10 Cents 1875-1891, KM# A92, United States of America (USA), San Francisco Mint: mintmark in and below wreath
  • 10 Cents 1875-1891, KM# A92, United States of America (USA), New Orleans Mint: 1860 (left) and 1891 (right)
  • 10 Cents 1875-1891, KM# A92, United States of America (USA), Carson City Mint: mintmark in and below wreath
Description

The Seated Liberty portrait designs appeared on most regular-issue silver United States coinage during the mid- and late nineteenth century, from 1836 through 1891. In 1860 the U.S. Mint eliminated the stars on the obverse of Seated Liberty dimes, replacing them with the legend "United States of America", which had previously appeared around the wreath on the reverse of the coins. Before this time dimes minted in New Orleans and San Francisco had featured their mintmarks inside the wreaths. Afterwards, the "O" and "S" (and, later, the "CC" for Carson City) mintmarks were located below the wreath next to the rim.

Obverse

Depicts the figure of Liberty clad in a flowing dress and seated upon a rock. In her left hand, she holds a Liberty pole surmounted by a Phrygian cap, which had been a pre-eminent symbol of freedom during the movement of Neoclassicism (and in fact traces its roots back to Ancient Greece and Rome). Liberty's right hand rested on the top corner of a striped shield with a diagonal banner inscribed with the word "Liberty". The shield represented preparedness in the defense of freedom. The date of the coin appeared on the bottom below Liberty.

In 1860 the U.S. Mint eliminated the stars on the obverse of Seated Liberty, replacing them with the legend "United States of America", which had previously appeared around the wreath on the reverse of the coins.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
1875

Reverse

Depicts a wreath around the words ONE DIME.

Before 1860, this wreath consisted of laurel leaves, a traditional Neoclassical image, but beginning that year, the wreath was enlarged and was filled not only with leaves, but also traditional American agricultural products, such as corn and wheat.

ONE
DIME

Edge

10 Cents

Seated Liberty Dime, Legend Obverse
KM# A92
Characteristics
Material Silver
Fineness 0.900
Weight 2.5 g
Diameter 17.9 mm
Thickness 1.05 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mints
Carson City Mint (CC)
New Orleans Mint (O)
Philadelphia Mint (no mintmark)
San Francisco Mint (S)

Related coins

Seated Liberty Dime, Without Stars

Silver, 2.67 g, ⌀ 17.9 mm
Seated Liberty Dime, With Stars, No Arrows

Silver, 2.67 g, ⌀ 17.9 mm
Seated Liberty Dime, With Stars, With Arrows

Silver, 2.49 g, ⌀ 17.9 mm