1878 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.

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.