Semi-Key

Obverse

Reverse

1865 Seated Liberty Dime

$54 – $34,475

The Seated Liberty Dime - 1865 was minted at the Philadelphia Mint with a mintage of 30,000. Values range from $54 in lower grades to $34,475 in top condition. This is a semi-key date with strong collector demand. The coin contains 90% silver with a melt value of $2.36.

1865 | Philadelphia | Mintage: 30,000

Melt Value (90% silver)

$2.36

Based on $30.50/oz silver

as of Aug 1, 2026

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Market Activity

SoldHigh BidFor SaleLast Asking PriceMoving Average

Avg: $4,216 High: $34,475 Low: $54 10 total data points

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade
Grade	Value
Good (G-4) Major design elements visible but heavily worn	$54
Very Good (VG-8) Design clear, moderate to heavy wear	$72
Fine (F-12) Even wear on high points, all lettering visible	$82
Very Fine (VF-20) Light to moderate wear on high points	$140
Extremely Fine (EF-40) Light wear on highest points only	$305
About Uncirculated (AU-50) Traces of wear on highest points	$380
Mint State (MS-60) No wear, may have marks or reduced luster	$725
Choice (MS-63) Moderate marks, good eye appeal	$1,250
Gem (MS-65) Best Value Strong luster, light marks in non-focal areas	$4,675
Superb Gem+ (MS-67) Above average strike, virtually flawless	$34,475

Under $100 $100 - $1,000 Over $1,000

Coin Specifications

Year

1865

Mint

Philadelphia

Mintage

30,000

Composition

90% Silver, 10% Copper

Weight

2.67 grams

Diameter

17.9 mm

Edge

Reeded

Designer

Thomas Sully (Liberty), John Reich (reverse)

Series

Seated Liberty Dime (1837-1891)

PCGS #

4815

Proof Mintage

500

Historical Notes

1865 Seated Liberty Dime from the Civil War era, low mintage.

About the Seated Liberty Dime

The Seated Liberty Dime debuted in 1837 to replace the Capped Bust design. Christian Gobrecht designed the coin based on sketches by Thomas Sully and Titian Peale. The obverse shows Lady Liberty sitting on a rock, holding a shield and a pole with a liberty cap. This design brought a more neoclassical look to American coinage. Changes occurred throughout the series run. The mint added stars to the obverse in 1838. They added rays to the background of the reverse in 1853 to mark a reduction in the coin's weight. Arrows appeared at the date in 1853 and 1873 to note further weight adjustments. The Mint ended the series in 1891 when the Barber Dime replaced it.

Collecting Seated Liberty Dime Coins

Focus on the later dates from the 1880s to build a starter set because these are the most affordable. Many Seated Liberty Dimes suffer from heavy wear or harsh cleanings that ruin their value. Look for coins with original surfaces and avoid pieces that look shiny or unnatural. Check for the 1873-CC variety, as it is a rare issue that attracts many forgers. Buy coins in grades of Fine or Very Fine to balance quality with cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Seated Liberty Dime - 1865 worth? +

A Seated Liberty Dime - 1865 is worth between $54 and $34,475 depending on condition. Coins in higher grades (MS-65 and above) command significant premiums.

How many 1865 Seated Liberty Dime coins were made? +

The Philadelphia Mint produced 30,000 1865 Seated Liberty Dime coins. Lower mintage numbers generally correlate with higher collector value.

Is the Seated Liberty Dime - 1865 a key date? +

The Seated Liberty Dime - 1865 is considered a semi-key date. While not the rarest in the series, it has above-average collector demand and typically commands a premium over common dates.

What is the melt value of a Seated Liberty Dime - 1865? +

The Seated Liberty Dime - 1865 contains 90% silver and has a melt value of approximately $2.36 based on current spot prices ($30.50/oz silver). Most collectible coins are worth significantly more than their melt value due to numismatic demand.

How much is an 1865 Seated Liberty Dime worth? +

Values vary based on the condition of the coin. Even in low grades, the 30,000 mintage ensures these coins sell for hundreds of dollars, while pristine specimens fetch several thousand at auction.

Is the 1865 Seated Liberty Dime considered rare? +

Yes, it is a semi-key date. Its mintage of 30,000 makes it significantly harder to find than the vast majority of other dates in the Seated Liberty Dime series.