Description
1881 10C Liberty Seated Dime PCGS PR66+DCAM (CAC)
PCGS # 94778
Grading Service PCGS
Grade PR66+
Mint Location Philadelphia
Year 1881
Designation DCAM
Strike Proof
Grade Add On CAC
1881 10C Liberty Seated Dime PCGS PR66+DCAM (CAC)
1881 10C, DC
SKU: 25266921
A conditionally rare Proof Seated dime with exceptional black-and-white contrast, this 1881 Liberty Seated Dime is certified PCGS PR66+ Deep Cameo and further endorsed by CAC, a combination that places it among the more desirable survivors of this elusive late-date proof issue. With a proof mintage of just 975 pieces, the date enjoys longstanding popularity among advanced Seated Liberty specialists and type collectors alike.
Christian Gobrecht’s enduring Seated Liberty design is presented here in its refined proof format. The obverse depicts Liberty seated on a rock, supporting a shield inscribed LIBERTY and holding a pole topped by a liberty cap, encircled by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with the date 1881 below. The reverse carries the simple and elegant denomination ONE DIME within a wreath of agricultural products, a hallmark of the long-running Seated Liberty dime series struck from 1837 to 1891.
The PR66+DCAM designation accurately conveys this coin’s premium quality. Deeply mirrored fields frame sharply impressed devices, producing strong cameo contrast of the sort especially prized on proof silver of the period. The piece displays impressive surface preservation for the assigned grade, with only the most trivial signs of handling visible under magnification. Subtle peripheral iridescence in rose, gold, and faint violet-blue accents complements the brilliant central motifs, enhancing the coin’s visual presence without diminishing its bold proof character. The CAC approval adds an additional level of market confidence, confirming that the coin is solid to high end for the grade.
As an 1881 proof, this issue belongs to the late Philadelphia production of Seated Liberty dimes, a series avidly collected both by date and as part of 19th-century proof type sets. The year is notable within the denomination: while 24,000 business strikes were produced for circulation, only 975 proofs were struck, making the proof issue a distinctly limited offering from the outset. Collectors have long appreciated these late-date proof Seated dimes for their careful manufacture, elegant design, and accessibility relative to the great condition rarities of earlier decades, while still offering true scarcity in upper grades.
Population data further underscores the coin’s select status. PCGS reports a population of just 1 at PR66+ Deep Cameo, with only 1 finer, placing this example firmly in the upper echelon of certified survivors. A population below 100 is always noteworthy; a pop of 1 at the assigned level makes this coin especially compelling for registry-minded collectors and connoisseurs of high-grade proof silver. Combined with its low proof mintage and CAC endorsement, it represents a scarce and highly collectible opportunity within the series.
A beautifully preserved late-date proof rarity, this 1881 Seated Liberty Dime offers elite certification, strong technical quality, and undeniable cabinet appeal in one compact and historic silver issue.