There’s a chance you might find an old dime in your collection or pocket change. Look at it for a moment before you throw it away. If it’s a rare 1874-CC Liberty Seated Dime, a coin as small as a ten cent could be worth more than $100,000.
This very rare dime has a long past. Let’s look at what makes it so expensive and how to find one.
What Is the Liberty Seated Dime?
From 1837 to 1891, the United States made the Liberty Seated Dime. Lady Liberty is sitting on a rock and carrying a shield and a stick. The word “ONE DIME” is surrounded by a flower on the back.
These coins were made at several U.S. Mint sites, such as Carson City, Nevada (shown by the “CC” mint mark on the coin).
Why the 1874-CC Version Is So Valuable
It is very hard to find an 1874-CC Liberty Seated Dime in good shape. Here’s what makes this coin unique:
Low Production: In 1874, the Carson City Mint only made 10,817 dime coins.
Heavy Circulation: Most of them were used every day and got worn out or broken.
Very Few Survive: Today, only a few of these coins are known to be in good enough shape to be collected.
Coin collectors love “CC” coins. People really want coins from the Carson City Mint, which only existed for a short time.
At sale, a coin like this that is mint or almost mint can fetch more than $100,000.
How to Spot an 1874-CC Liberty Seated Dime
Some old dimes are worth a lot of money, but if you think you have a rare one, here’s what to look for:
✅ Look for the Date
It’s clear that the year should be 1874.
✅ Find the Mint Mark
Look at the back of the coin, just below the circle, after you flip it over.
You can tell it came from Carson City if it has a “CC” mint mark. It could be very expensive.
✅ Check the Arrows
Some dimes from 1874 have small lines next to the year, which means the weight of the coin changed that year. The most sought-after form is this one.
✅ Inspect the Condition
The value goes up as the state gets better.
A coin that hasn’t been used much and still has all of its details is worth a lot more than one that has.
Could It Still Be Found Today?
Yes, the 1874-CC Liberty Seated Dime is rare, but you might still be able to find one. This is especially true in old coin collections, boxes of coins you received, or estate sales.
A lot of people don’t know what old coins are or check to see if they have mint marks on them, so valuable pieces can go unnoticed for decades.
What To Do If You Find One
Do you think you might have a Liberty Seated Dime or even the rare 1874-CC?
Do not clean the coin, as that could make it worth less.
Look at the date and mint mark with a magnifying glass.
Talk to a coin trader or professional expert to make sure it’s real and find out how much it’s worth.
For an official appraisal, you might want to have the coin graded by a reputable company like PCGS or NGC.
Final Thoughts
The 1874-CC Liberty Seated Dime is a small coin with a big story. It could also be worth six figures. It shows how important some rare coins can be when history, scarcity, and good shape all come together.
Pay attention, whether you’re a coin hoarder or just have a jar full of spare change. That tiny dime might hide something valuable worth more than $100,000.
