Obverse

Reverse

1890 Seated Liberty Dime

$10 – $8,350

The Seated Liberty Dime - 1890 was minted at the Philadelphia Mint with a mintage of 9,710,000. Values range from $10 in lower grades to $8,350 in top condition. The coin contains 90% silver with a melt value of $2.36.

1890 | Philadelphia | Mintage: 9,710,000

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: $999 High: $8,350 Low: $10 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	$10
Very Good (VG-8) Design clear, moderate to heavy wear	$12
Fine (F-12) Even wear on high points, all lettering visible	$22
Very Fine (VF-20) Light to moderate wear on high points	$31
Extremely Fine (EF-40) Light wear on highest points only	$61
About Uncirculated (AU-50) Traces of wear on highest points	$76
Mint State (MS-60) No wear, may have marks or reduced luster	$125
Choice (MS-63) Moderate marks, good eye appeal	$300
Gem (MS-65) Best Value Strong luster, light marks in non-focal areas	$1,000
Superb Gem+ (MS-67) Above average strike, virtually flawless	$8,350

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

Coin Specifications

Year

1890

Mint

Philadelphia

Mintage

9,710,000

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 #

4862

Proof Mintage

745

Historical Notes

1890 Seated Liberty Dime from Philadelphia.

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 - 1890 worth? +

A Seated Liberty Dime - 1890 is worth between $10 and $8,350 depending on condition. Coins in higher grades (MS-65 and above) command significant premiums.

How many 1890 Seated Liberty Dime coins were made? +

The Philadelphia Mint produced 9,710,000 1890 Seated Liberty Dime coins. Lower mintage numbers generally correlate with higher collector value.

Is the Seated Liberty Dime - 1890 a key date? +

The Seated Liberty Dime - 1890 is not considered a key date or semi-key date. However, condition is always important. A common-date coin in exceptional condition can still be quite valuable.

What is the melt value of a Seated Liberty Dime - 1890? +

The Seated Liberty Dime - 1890 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 1890 Seated Liberty Dime worth? +

A typical 1890 Seated Liberty Dime in circulated condition sells for between $20 and $50. Uncirculated examples in MS-63 grade often trade for approximately $250 to $300.

Is the 1890 Seated Liberty Dime rare? +

No, the 1890 Seated Liberty Dime is not rare. Its mintage of 9,710,000 makes it one of the more available dates compared to the rare 1871-CC issue, which had a mintage of only 10,800.