Liberty Seated Dimes Varieties 1837-1891 - 1868 Philadelphia Variety Chapter Page

1868


Mintage: 464,600                                                                     Proofs: 600

Top 100	Var#	Obv	Rev	DR	Obverse / Reverse Quick Diagnostics	Ahwash	Greer
	101	1	A	0R	Severe Die Clashing, High Level Bold Date / Clashed Die	A-1
	102	2	B	0R	High Date, Slight Downward Slope, Random Die Lines / Random Die Lines	A-2
*	103	3	C	0C	Repunched Date, High Date, Slight Down Slope, Broken S / Perfect Die	A-3	G101
	104	4	D	0C	Proof Die, High Weak Date, Downward Slope, Full S / Proof Die	A-4
	104a	4.2	D.2	0C	Business Strike, High Weak Date, Downward Slope / Perfect Die
*	105	5	E	0R	Blundered Proof Die, High Level Date, Partial S / Proof Die	A-5	G102
	105a	5.2	E.2	0R	Business Strike, Blundered Die, High Level Date / Perfect Die
	106	6	F	1L	High Level Date, Full (S)TATES / Perfect Die
	106a	6.2	F.2	1L	Clashed Die, High Level Date, Full (S)TATES / Clashed Die
	107	7	G	-1B0	High Date, Downward Slope, Broken S / Perfect Die
	107a	7.2	G.2	-1B0	Clashed Die, High Date, Downward Slope, Broken S / Clashed Die
	108	8	H	0R	High Date, Sl. Down Slope, Partial S, Random Die Lines / Perfect Die
	109	9	I	-1R	High Date, Slight Downward Slope, Partial S / Minor Doubling
	110	10	J	0L	High Weak Date, Slight Downward Slope, Full S / Perfect Die
	110a	10.2	J	0L	Partial Date Digits, Full S / Perfect Die
	111	11	K	0B1	High Level Date, Partial S, Clashed Die, Random DLs / Minor Doubling
	112	12	L	0R	High Date, Sl. Down Slope, Full S, DL Into Shield / Random Die Lines


Variety Vs. Denticle Ruler Cross Reference Table

Scarcity: A date that can be difficult to locate in lower circulated grades and becomes very scarce in EF-AU.  In Mint 
State, this dime is moderately rare.  Examples in AU through Mint State are considered undervalued at this time.
 
Updated Greer Rarity Ratings
Overall Rarity: G-VG R3-, F-VF R3, EF-AU R4+, MS R6-

                                Fortin Variety Rarity Estimates In VF - Mint State

Variety	Rarity	Suggested Premiums	Variety	Rarity	Suggested Premiums
101	R3	-	107	R4	-
102	R3	-	107a	R4	-
103	R5	50-100%	108	R3	-
104	R3	-	109	R3	-
104a	R4	-	110	R4	-
105	R4+	100-150%	110a	R5	-
105a	R7	200-300%	111	R4	-
106	R4	-	112	R4	-
106a	R4	-

Comments: The 1868 date has been full of surprises for the author. The twelve known obverse dies are high given a
moderate mintage of 464,600 pieces. It could be speculated that the Philadelphia mint planned to significantly increase
Seated dime production in 1868 after the low mintage years of 1863 through 1867. Many die pairs were produced but saw limited
usage as evidenced by the striking quality of 1868 dimes and the complete lack of late die state or cracked dies. However
the manufacture of numerous 1868 dies and the elevated mintage rates generated new problems that can be detected and quantified
today. Slightly less than 40% of the obverse dies have been identified with die clashing. About 70% of the obverse die
exhibit random die lines throughout Liberty and the shield area. Proof dies were reused for business strikes. Finally, a limited
number of 1868 proof and business striles dimes were produced with a "blundered" obverse die that also exhibits die rust in the
central obverse.

During the 2009 November Whitman Baltimore show and LSCC regional meeting, an 1868 presentation was provided and certain commentaries
suggested that die polishing and different die states could be counted into the 12 listed obverse dies. A subsequent review of the
1868 dimes in my collection failed to provide any evidence that would support die polishing as a reason for separate obverse die
listing. The November 2009 website update provides improved images that identify artifacts on each of the dies.
Value As A Date (Coin World Trends/CoinValues

Grade	1963	1973	1983	1993	2003	2012
G	1.5	2.5	7.5	9	20	20
F	3.25	5	22.5	20	35	50
EF	-	12.5	95	60	75	100
MS60	15	90	500	350	400	500
MS63	-	-	-	825	1000	1500

1868 Date Gallery

Back to Date and Mintmark Table