1873-CC Seated Liberty Dime

The story of the 1873-CC

Output at Carson City slipped to 12,400 in 1873, from 35,480 the year before. In 1873 the figure was 18,791.

The other mints made far more that year: 1873 alone came to 2.4 million, roughly 192 for every 1873-CC. If you're checking a pile of 1873 coins, the CC is the one to look for. In the whole series, its mintage sits closest to the 1864 (11,000) and the 1863 (14,000).

Only the 1874-CC has a lower mintage among Carson City's 9 Seated Liberty Dimes. Among the 1870s issues, only the 1874-CC had a smaller run.

It also marks a change of metal: 1873 is the first year of the Seated Liberty Dime in 90% silver, 10% copper, which lasted until 1891.

More on the 1873-CC

The 1873-CC without arrows is the rarest Seated dime. Carson City struck 12,400 early in 1873 before the Coinage Act raised the dime's weight. After the law took effect nearly all were melted. Only one is known today. It has passed through some of the most famous American collections, including that of Louis Eliasberg.

Because the single survivor is accounted for, any other 1873-CC no arrows dime is almost certainly not genuine. If you have an 1873-CC, look beside the date for arrows. With arrows it is the 1873-CC with arrows, a scarce date with 18,791 struck. Without arrows, it should be examined by an expert, since it is far more likely to be an altered or counterfeit coin than a second example. Specialists often describe the coin as uncollectible, since only one exists. Carson City struck its arrows dimes later in 1873. Those 18,791 coins are the ones collectors can actually find.

Arrows again and the lost 1873-CC (1873 to 1874)

The Coinage Act of February 12, 1873 raised the dime slightly from 2.49 to 2.50 grams to fit a metric standard. Arrows went back beside the date on the new coins of 1873 and 1874. The same act ended the half dime, the three-cent silver piece, the two-cent piece and the standard silver dollar. Before the change, Philadelphia struck 1,508,000 dimes without arrows with a Close 3 in the date. Mint officials complained that the 3 looked too much like an 8, so new date punches with an Open 3 were made and 60,000 more were struck before the arrows arrived.

Carson City struck 12,400 dimes without arrows early in 1873. After the new law took effect nearly all were melted and only one is known today. The arrows coins that followed include 2,377,700 from Philadelphia, 455,000 from San Francisco and 18,791 from Carson City. In 1874 Philadelphia struck 2,939,300, San Francisco 240,000 and Carson City only 10,817. The 1873-CC and 1874-CC arrows dimes are among the hardest CC dimes to find.

To sort an 1873 dime, check for arrows first. Without arrows, look at the 3. On a Close 3 the knobs nearly touch, while on an Open 3 they stand well apart. Arrows dimes of both years are popular type coins, since they are a separate two-year design. The Philadelphia coins are the easy ones in circulated grades.

Elsewhere in US coinage in 1873

The Coinage Act of 1873 ended the two-cent piece, the three-cent silver, the half dime and the standard silver dollar. It also created the trade dollar for commerce in Asia. Arrows were added beside the date of dimes, quarters and halves to mark a small weight change. Critics later called the act the "Crime of '73" for dropping the silver dollar.