Grading U.S. 10 Cent Coins
Of the ten-cent coins minted in the United States, we are buying the following:
- Capped bust dime, 1809-1837 ~ We are buying all capped bust type dimes.
- Liberty seated dime, 1837-1891 ~ We buy most Liberty seated type 10 cent coins.
- Barber (Liberty head) dime, 1892-1916 ~ We buy many Barber dimes.
- Mercury (Winged Liberty head) dimes, 1913-1938 ~ We buy some Mercury dimes.
In addition, we buy all "draped bust" type dimes (1796-1807), and will also buy any pre-1965 U.S. dimes if they are in large quantity. Call us toll-free at 888 380-6468 if you have old US silver dimes to sell.
Below you will find information about various details of grading U.S. ten cents coins 
which may be helpful to you in determining the value of your coins. These grade descriptions use official American Numismatic Association (ANA) terminology, both in general descriptions of grades throughout this website, as well as coin-specific grading terminology on these coin grading pages.*
Examples of coins in various grading conditions are shown, graded by various professional grading services companies, as indicated by their abbreviations. If you wish to get a fast, fair and free appraisal from a professional coin dealer, go here for more information about how to send in your coins.
DIMES
P:poor F:fair AG:about good G:good VG:very good F:fine VF:very fine EF:extra fine AU:about uncirculated MS:mint state (Uncirc.) PR:proof |
1836 Capped Bust
MS-62 (PCI)
|
1884 Liberty Seated
MS-64 (PCI)
|
1902 Barber dime
PR-64 (PCI)
|
1916 "Mercury" dime
G-4 (NGC)
|
|
AG-3, Outlined design. Parts of legend / date are worn smooth. Obverse: Outlined head with nearly all details worn away. Date is very weak but readable. Rim merges with stars. Reverse: Entire design is partially worn away. |
AG-3, Overall design is outline; parts of date / legend worn smooth. Obverse: Nearly all details worn away with outlined Liberty head. Date may be very weak but is readable. Rim is merging into stars. Reverse: Nearly entire design partially worn away. |
AG-3, Outlined design. Parts of legend / date worn smooth. Obverse: Outlined head, with nearly all details worn away. Partially worn away but readable date. Legend merges with rim. |
AG-3, Most design detail outlined, though parts of the legends / date worn smooth. Obverse: Outlined Liberty head, with most details worn away. Date is readable but worn. "LIBERTY" merges into rim. Reverse: All design partially worn away; rim worn at least ½ into legend. |
|
G-4, Heavily worn capped bust dime; legend & design are visible, though faint in spots. OBV: Very little detail; entire design is well worn. Most LIBERTY letters are worn away. |
G-4, Wear is heavy on full Liberty seated dime design. Legends may be faint in spots but visible. OBV: Liberty outlined; little remaining detail. Most of the rim showing; date / stars visible. LIBERTY worn away. REV: Wreath is worn flat, outlined. Most legends' letters readable; most of rim visible. |
G-4, Heavy wear; design and legend of the Liberty head Barber dime visible though faint in spots. OBV: Well worn over entire design with very little remaining detail; legend weak but visible. LIBERTY worn away; rim complete but flat. REV: Wreath is worn flat but outlined completely. Grains / corn worn nearly smooth; rim in spots incomplete. |
G-4, Legends / design details winged Liberty "Mercury" dime visible but heavily worn; may be faint in spots. OBV: shown Winged Liberty and other design elements well worn; little detail remains. Legend and date may be weak but are visible, with detectable rim. REV: Fasces outlined completely but worn nearly flat; rods / bands worn smooth. |
|
VG-8, Well worn; Design is flat and lacking details but clear. OBV: Complete head outlined; most hair details worn smooth. Clasp, eye, & ear barely visible. 3 letters or more are clear in "LIBERTY." REV: Boldly outlined Eagle; some wings feathers showing. Some motto letters are very weak. Olive branch & head are smooth. |
G-6, Design well worn; some emerging details. OBV: Shield outline emerging; some details of Liberty's gown folds detectable. Complete rims & stars present. REV: Legends readable; rim complete. |
VG-8, Well worn. Design is clear but flat and lacking details. OBV: Entirety of head weak; most face details worn smooth. Some LIBERTY letters are clear; complete rim. REV: Only small amount of wreath detail shows; grain & corn flat. Areas of the bow are very weak. |
G-6, Legends & design details heavily worn, though some detail emerging. OBV: Liberty's hair details, upper wing beginning to be visible. Date, motto & legend are stronger. REV: Fasces worn & completely outlined; more discernible detail on olive branch. |
|
|
GRADING U.S. 10-CENT COINS |
CAPPED BUST |
LIBERTY SEATED |
BARBER DIME |
MERCURY DIME |
|
F-12, Moderate - heavy even wear. Entire design is bold, clear. OBV: Almost ½ of details show in cap, drapery & hair; all letters, clasp & parts of ear are visible; eyelid flattened. REV: ½ of wing feathers visible. Motto letters weak but clear. Nearly smooth head but some feathers & the eye show. |
VG-8, Well-worn design, but more details emerge. OBV: Entire shield weak; > 3 letters in LIBERTY are readable. Most gown details are worn smooth, but some folds around legs & knees visible. REV: Only small amount of wreath detail shows; parts of bow very weak. |
F-12, Even moderate-heavy wear but all design is bold, clear. OBV: Some hair, cap, & facial details present. All "LIBERTY" letters visible but weak. Upper leaves row is outlined; bottom row worn smooth. REV: Some lower leaf clusters' details plainly visible; bow flat but outlined. Letters clear but are worn. |
VG-8, Design well worn but clear, lacking detail; appears flat. OBV: Liberty head is weak; most wing details worn smooth. Complete rim. REV: Some vertical fasces lines visible; complete rim. |
|
VF-20, Even wear light-moderate; all major capped bust dime features sharp. OBV: > ½ of hair details show. LIBERTY, ear & clasp all plainly visible. REV: Head & leg worn, but some feathers are visible; most wings details clear. Talons are separated. Motto complete. |
VG-10, Still heavy wear but entire design of Liberty seated dime clear, bold. OBV: Details of Liberty's face, folds on her gown and drapery begin to emerge. More LIBERTY legend letters readable. REV: All legends' letters strong, readable; wreath, bow well-defined. |
VF-20, Light-moderate even wear on the "Barber" Liberty head dime. All major features are sharp. OBV: > ½ of details showing in leaves; hair worn but bold. Each letter in LIBERTY is visible. REV: Worn ribbon, but some details are visible. ½ of leaves' details clear; upper stalks & bottom leaves show wear spots. |
F-12, Even but extensive wear but entire Mercury dime design is clear, bold. OBV: Some hair details show. Wing feathers partially visible, lacking sharpness. Diagonal bands detectable but worn. |
|
VF-30, Even wear light-moderate; major features sharp. OBV: Hair over eye worn nearly smooth; remainder of hair well-detailed. Clearly shown ear, shoulder clasp. Eye, LIBERTY well-defined. REV: Most of the feather details are visible but worn. Some talon, neck & shield details are worn. |
F-12, Design devices show moderate-heavy even wear. OBV: Details of face, hair & gown bodice emerging. Letters in LIBERTY are weak but readable; shield is outlined. Right shoulder drapery clasp worn away. REV: Legend letters worn but clear. Bow is outlined though flat; a few details in wreath upper portions emerge. |
VF-30, Major features sharp with light-moderate, even wear. OBV: Wear spots on cap, leaves, cheek & hair. Some weak details visible in bottom row of leaves. Band & LIBERTY complete. REV: Wear on 2 bottom leaves shows, but most details visible. Almost all details in corn kernels & ribbon bow are clear. |
F-15, Design is bolder, with moderate, even wear over entire design. OBV: Wing feathers are bolder, more detailed & more details evident in hair. REV: Detectable vertical fasces lines slightly sharper; greater presence of diagonal bands. |
|
|
To sell your old U.S. dimes ...
888 380-MINT |
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
MONDAY - FRIDAY
US Central Time
GMT -6 |
... please call for free appraisal! |
EF-40, Very light wear on highest points. May still show traces of mint luster. OBV: Wear shows on ear, hair above eye & lightly on curls. Drapery at neckline is lightly worn in spots. The ear & shoulder clasp very sharp; eye well-defined. REV: Eagle high points are worn, but each detail is clearly defined; leg feathers & neck very lightly worn. |
F-15, Moderate, even wear on design devices. OBV: Shield is outlined and letters in LIBERTY on shield are bolder. More details of Liberty's face, hair and gown emerging. Drapery clasp on Liberty's right shoulder emerging. REV: Details on bow and wreath are emerging. Letters in legend and denomination bold and clear. |
EF-40, Traces of mint luster may still show. Very light wear on only the highest points. OBV: Light wear shows on leaves, cap, cheek, & hair above forehead. LIBERTY is sharp and band edges are clear. REV: High points of bow & wreath are worn, but all details clearly defined. |
VF-20, Moderate even wear on the design, but all major features sharp. OBV: ¾ of detail present in wing feathers. Liberty's hair is worn, but some details visible. REV: All of the vertical lines in the fasces evident. Wear evident on the two diagonal bands, but most details are visible. All details in the olive branch are clear. |
|
EF-45, Some of the Capped Bust Dime mint luster is still present. Very light wear on the high points. OBV: Drapery is worn at shoulder and bust line. Slight wear shows on high points of hair above the eye & over the ear. Traces of wear are visible on lowest curl. REV: Lines in feathers are clearly defined. High points of wings, shield, talons, and head are lightly worn. |
VF-20, Wear moderate-even on Liberty Seated Dime design devices but all major features sharp. OBV: All letters in LIBERTY readable. Half of details present in Liberty's gown. Details on Liberty cap emerging. Wear evident on Liberty's hair, shoulder and legs, but design devices are bold. REV: shown. Half of details on leaves clear. Wear spots on bottom leaves and upper stalks. Ribbon is worn, but details emerging. |
EF-45, Part of Liberty Head (Barber) dime mint luster still present. Very light wear on only high points. OBV: LIBERTY is sharp and band edges are bold. Slight wear shows on high points of upper leaves, cheek, & hair above forehead. REV: Lines in leaves are clearly defined. High points of wreath & bow are lightly worn. |
VF-30, Light even wear on the design; all major Winged Liberty Head "Mercury" dime features sharp. OBV: The wing feathers exhibit nearly full detail but are weak. Some wear shows on Liberty's hair along her face, cheek and neckline. REV: All of the vertical lines are sharp, and all of the details in the olive branch are clear. Wear shows on the two diagonal bands, but most details are visible. |
|
AU-50, Part of Mint luster is still present. Small traces of erosion are visible on highest points. OBV: Drapery has trace of wear at tip of bust. Traces of abrasion show on hair above the eye and over the ear. REV: Traces of wear show on head, talons & edges of wings. |
VF-25, Even but light wear on design devices. OBV: Liberty's hair, shoulder and legs are bolder. >; ½ of details present in Liberty's gown. More cap details visible. All letters in LIBERTY are readable, scroll edge nearly complete. REV: Details of corn kernels & wheat heads are visible. Ribbon details bolder. |
AU-50, ½ of mint luster is still present. Small traces of wear are visible on highest points. OBV: Traces of wear show on top of forehead, cheek, and hair below LIBERTY. REV: Traces of wear show on wheat grains, ribbon bow, and tips of leaves. |
EF-40, Light wear seen on highest points of design. OBV: Wear evident on the high points of Liberty's hair and at her neckline and on the wing of her cap. REV: Bits of Mint luster may be present. High points on the diagonal bands on the fasces exhibit wear, but rod details clearly defined and partially separated. |
|
|
GRADING U.S. TEN-CENT COINS |
CAPPED BUST |
LIBERTY SEATED |
BARBER DIME |
MERCURY DIME |
|
AU-55, Much of the Mint luster is still present. Small traces of erosion visible on high points. OBV: Only highest points of hair above eye shows a trace of wear. REV: Talons show a trace of wear. |
VF-30, Light, even wear on design devices. OBV: LIBERTY & scroll are complete. Wear spots visible on Liberty's shoulder, breast, knee and legs. Details are emerging on Liberty's head. REV: Most details in ribbon and bow are clear. Most details are visible in leaves of wreath. |
AU-55, ¾ of mint luster is still present. Small traces of deterioration on high points visible. OBV: Only a trace of wear shows on hair below LIBERTY highest points. REV: A trace of wear shows on wheat grains, ribbon bow, and leaf near 'O' in ONE. |
EF-45, Very light wear detectable on only the highest points of the design. OBV: Hair along Liberty's face is sharp and detailed. Slight wear shows on high points of Liberty's hairline and on the feathers of the wing. REV: Part of Mint luster may be present. High points of the diagonal bands binding the fasces are lightly worn. Horizontal band lines are clearly defined but are not fully separated. |
|
AU-58, shown. Small traces of wear visible on high points of capped bust dime. Shallow or weak spots in the design are usually caused by improper striking, and not wear. Has some signs of abrasion: drapery at front of bust, shoulder clasp, and hair above ear and at forehead; eagle's claws, neck, and edges of wings. |
VF-35, Light wear, design devices of Liberty seated dime. OBV: More details show on Liberty head. Some wear spots visible on Liberty's shoulder, breast, knee, and legs. REV: Most ribbon details clear. Some wear shows on bottom leaves, but most details of leaves, wheat heads & ears of corn are visible. |
AU-58, Small traces of erosion visible on highest points Barber 10 cent Liberty head coin. Has some signs of abrasion: hair below LIBERTY, and high points of cheek; ribbon bow and tips of leaves. |
AU-55, Traces of wear visible on highest points of the "Mercury dime" (winged Liberty head) design. OBV: Trace of wear detectable in front of her ear and on hair above Liberty's forehead. REV: ¾ of mint luster present. Trace of wear shows on the horizontal & diagonal bands binding the fasces. |
|
MS-60, Absolutely no trace of wear. May lack full mint luster, and surface may be dull, spotted, or heavily toned. A strictly Uncirculated coin with no trace of wear, but with blemishes more obvious than for MS-63. |
EF-40, Light erosion on high points of design. OBV: LIBERTY is complete and edges of scroll are raised. Wear visible on Liberty's knees, head and shoulder. Wear shows at neckline of Liberty's gown. REV: Traces of luster may be present. All design details are clearly defined, but wear evident on high points of wreath and bow. |
MS-60, Absolutely no trace of wear. May lack full mint luster, and surface may be dull, spotted, or heavily toned. An uncirculated dime with no trace of wear, but with blemishes more obvious than for MS-63. |
AU-58, Some signs of abrasion on the design high points. OBV: Slightest trace of wear in front of her ear and on the high points of hair. REV: Middle of the two diagonal bands binding the rods of the fasces show slight trace of wear. |
|
|
1827 Liberty "capped bust," reverse
AU-58 (NGC)
|
1839 Liberty seated ten cents, rev.
VF-20 (PCGS)
|
1895 Liberty Head "Barber" dime, rev.
VG-10 (NGC)
|
1940 winged Liberty
"Mercury" dime, rev.
PR-65 (NGC)
|
|
MS-63, A Mint state silver dime with attractive mint luster, but noticeable detracting contact marks or minor blemishes. No trace of wear. |
EF-45, Very light wear, design high points only. OBV: LIBERTY is sharp and edges of scroll are raised. Slight wear evident on high points of knees and hair on Liberty's forehead. Drapery displays wear on shoulder and at bustline. REV: Some luster is evident. Wear evident on high points of wreath and bow. Lines in leaves are clearly defined. |
MS-63, A Mint State ten cent piece with attractive mint luster, but noticeable detracting contact marks or minor blemishes. Absolutely no trace of wear, at all. |
MS-61, Truly uncirculated dime piece with no trace of wear. Noticeable patches or continuous hairline scratches are permitted on the surfaces. May have a few heavy contact marks or many light marks in prime and secondary focal areas. May lack full Mint luster and surface may be dull, spotted or heavily toned. |
|
MS-65, Has nearly full mint luster but may be unevenly toned or lightly fingermarked. No trace of wear; nearly as perfect capped bust dime as MS-67 except for some small blemishes. A few adjustment file marks or minor nicks may be present. |
AU-50, Trace wear is visible on Liberty seated dime design high points. OBV: Traces of wear detectable at edge of hairline, on Liberty's knees and right shoulder. REV: Half of the luster is present. Very slight wear evident on bow, tips of leaves. |
MS-65, A few barely noticeable nicks or hairlines may be present on the Barber ten cent piece. Absolutely no sign of wear; nearly as perfect as MS-67 except for some small blemish. Has full mint luster but may be unevenly toned or lightly fingermarked. |
MS-63, Strictly uncirculated coin with no trace of wear on the winged Liberty 10 cent coin (Mercury dime). Horizontal bands on the reverse may be filled or partially separated. Displays attractive Mint luster but may exhibit distracting contact marks in the prime focal areas and a few scattered or small patches of hairline scratches. |
|
MS-67, Virtually flawless, but with very minor imperfections. No trace of wear. |
AU-53, Trace of wear visible on design high points. OBV: Erosion detectable at edge of hairline and on Liberty's knees. REV: More than half of original Mint luster is present. Traces of wear evident on bow, tips of leaves. |
MS-67, Virtually flawless, with very minor imperfections, but no visible hairlines. Absolutely no wear. |
MS-63B, Completely uncirculated coin with no trace of wear. Horizontal bands - particularly the middle band - are fully separated. Displays attractive Mint luster but may exhibit distracting contact marks in the prime focal areas and a few scattered or small patches of hairline scratches. |
|
|
GRADING U.S. DIME COINS |
CAPPED BUST |
LIBERTY SEATED |
BARBER DIME |
MERCURY DIME |
|
MS-70, A flawless coin exactly as it was minted, with no trace of wear or damage. Must have full mint luster and brilliance or light toning. |
AU-55, ¾ of original Mint luster is present. Slightest trace of wear evident on high points of Liberty's knees, and also on the bow. |
MS-70, A flawless coin exactly as it was minted, with no trace of wear or injury. Must have full mint luster and brilliance or light toning. |
MS-64, Strictly uncirculated winged Liberty dime with no trace of wear. May have light, scattered contact marks with a few being in the prime focal areas. Horizontal bands on the reverse may be filled or partially separated. Must exhibit average to full Mint luster and have pleasing eye appeal. |
|
|
AU-58, Slightest trace of wear detectable on capped bust 10 cent coin design high points. OBV: Some signs of abrasion detectable on high points of Liberty's breast and knees. REV: More than ¾ of original Mint luster present. Detectable abrasion on tips of leaves in wreath and on the bow. |
|
MS-64B, Strictly uncirculated Liberty seated 10 cent coin with no trace of wear. May have light, scattered contact marks with a few being in the prime focal areas. Must exhibit average to full Mint luster and have pleasing eye appeal. Horizontal bands - particularly the middle band - are fully separated. |
|
|
MS-60, Uncirculated. Absolutely no trace of wear permitted. May have large, detracting contract marks in all areas or damage spots. Mint luster may be unattractive, dull or washed out. Rim nicks may be present. May have a patch of or continuous hairline scratches on surfaces. Eye appeal is very poor. |
|
MS-65, Strictly uncirculated Mercury ten cent coin with no trace of wear. Mint luster must be fully original and have very pleasing eye appeal. May have light and scattered contact marks but no major distracting marks in prime focal areas. Horizontal bands on the reverse may be partially separated or filled. |
|
|
To sell your old U.S. dimes ...
888 380-MINT |
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
MONDAY - FRIDAY
US Central Time
GMT -6 |
... please call for free appraisal! |
|
MS-63, Uncirculated. Slight impairment of Mint luster detectable. Small hairline scratches visible without magnification. A few scattered heavy marks and numerous small "bag marks" permitted. Several scuff marks or detracting defects may be present on design elements or in the fields. Overall, the coin is rather attractive. General quality of the coin is about average. |
|
MS-65B, Strictly Uncirculated coin with no trace of wear. May have a few scattered hairline scratches. May have light and scattered contract marks but no major distracting marks in prime focal areas. Mint luster must be fully original with very pleasing eye appeal. Horizontal bands - particularly the middle band - are fully separated. |
|
|
MS-65, Uncirculated. Quality overall of Liberty seated ten cent coin is above average and overall eye appeal is very pleasing. Mint luster and strike are attractive and of high quality. One or two small patches of hairline scratches are visible under magnification. A few small and scattered contact marks or two larger marks permitted. Light scuff marks may be detectable on design high points. |
|
MS-66, Strictly Uncirculated Mercury dime with no trace of wear. Must exhibit above average fully original Mint luster. May have a few, small contact marks but no visible hairline scratches. Eye appeal must be above average. Horizontal bands on the reverse may be filled or partially separated. |
|
|
|
|
MS-66B, Strictly Uncirculated coin with no trace of wear. Must exhibit above average fully original Mint luster May have a few, small contract marks in prime focal area but no visible hairline scratches. Horizontal bands - particularly the middle band - are fully separated. Eye appeal must be above average. |
|
|
... please call us toll-free at:
888 380-MINT |
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
MONDAY - FRIDAY
US Central Time
GMT -6 |
|
|
Get a free appraisal and grading of your coin s from Midwest Mint. As experienced coin dealers, we can offer you top prices. Call 888 380-MINT for more information. |
