Liberty Seated Dimes Varieties 1837-1891 - 1889 San Francisco Variety Chapter Page

1889-S

Small S

Medium S


Mintage: 972,678

Top 100	Var#	Obv	Rev	DR	Obverse / Reverse Quick Diagnostics	Ahwash	Greer
	101	1	A	0C	Medium Date, Slight Downward Slope, Open 9 / Medium S, [mm C,C]	A-1
	102	2	A.2	0L	Medium Date, Down Slope, Open 9, Repunched 1 / Medium S, [mm C,C]	A-2	G101
	103	2.2	B	0L	Polished Die, Medium Date, Downward Slope / Small S, [mm Lt,H]
	104	3	C	0B1	Medium Date, Slight Down Slope, Open 9 / Small S, [mm Lt,H]
	105	3	D	0B1	Medium Date, Slight Down Slope, Open 9 / Small S, [mm Lt,C]
	105a	3.2	D	1L	Polished Die, Med Date, Sl. Down Slope, Very Open 9/ Sm S, [mm Lt,C]	A-3
	106	4	C	1L	Medium Level Date, Closed 9 / Small S, [mm Lt,H]	A-4
	107	4.2	E	1L	Polished Die, Med Level Date, Closed 9 / Sm S, Centered, [mm Lt,H]
	108	5	F	0B1	Medium Level Date, Closed 9 / Small S, [mm Rt,C]	A-5
	109	6	G	-1B0	Med Date, Down Slope, Closed 9 / Sm Filled S, [mm Lt,H], Clashed Die
	110	7	G	0C	Medium Date, Downward Slope, Closed 9 / Small Filled S, [mm Lt,H]


Variety Vs. Denticle Ruler Cross Reference Table

Reverse Die and Mintmark Position Comparison Guide

Scarcity: A tough date in the lower circulated grade that becomes scarce in EF-AU.  Mint State examples are 
infrequently seen. Small S examples are more available than the Medium S mintmark size.
 
Updated Greer Rarity Ratings
Small S Rarity: G-VG R3, F-VF R3+, EF-AU R4, MS R5+
Medium S Rarity: G-VG R3+, F-VF R4, EF-AU R4+, MS R6
Overall Rarity: G-VG R3, F-VF R3+, EF-AU R4, MS R5+  

                                Fortin Variety Rarity Estimates In VF - Mint State

Variety	Rarity	Suggested Premiums	Variety	Rarity	Suggested Premiums
101	R3	-	106	R3	-
102	R3	-	107	R4	-
103	R5	30-50%	108	R3	-
104	R4	-	109	R4	-
105	R3	-	110	R4	-
105a	R3	-

Comments: Several of the 1889-S reverse dies saw extensive die erosion resulting in poorly struck examples.  Numerous 
1889-s dimes are found with reverses that grade one to two grades lower than the corresponding obverse grade.  These 
late die state varieties are identified within this section.  1889-S dimes are also frequently seen with weak head 
details.  Researching and classifying die marriages is most difficult due to the elevated frequency of reverse dies 
with Small S mintmarks that are positioned high and left. Die polishing further complicates die marriage reporting. 
Several of the obverse dies were polished resulting in changes to the device sizes.   
  
                               Value As A Date (Coin World Trends/CoinValues

Grade	1963	1973	1983	1993	2003	2012
G	6.5	7.5	13.5	8	20	15
F	15	15	24	22	35	30
EF	-	45	75	67.5	85	85
MS60	100	125	375	485	400	450
MS63	-	-	-	-	1200	1000

1889-S Date Gallery

Back to Date and Mintmark Table