1885-S Seated Liberty Dime

The story of the 1885-S

Production at San Francisco fell off a cliff in 1885. Only 43,690 were made, against 564,969 the year before. That drop is why the 1885-S is the one people look for. In 1886 the figure was 206,524.

The other mint made far more that year: 1885 alone came to 2.5 million, roughly 58 for every 1885-S. If you're checking a pile of 1885 coins, the S is the one to look for. In the whole series, its mintage sits closest to the 1860-O (40,000) and the 1870-S (50,000).

Of the 29 Seated Liberty Dimes San Francisco struck between 1856 and 1891, this is the scarcest. Within the 1880s it's 3rd smallest of 16, between the 1880 (36,000) and the 1886-S (206,524).

More on the 1885-S

The 1885-S is the key of the late Seated dimes. San Francisco struck only 43,690, down from 564,969 the year before. Unlike the low Philadelphia dates of 1879 to 1881, few were saved and most went into circulation.

Most survivors are worn and the 1885-S is rare in every grade. Check the S mint mark under magnification, since an S added to a common 1885 Philadelphia dime is the main risk. Then judge the grade by LIBERTY on the shield and the high points of Liberty's figure. Authentication by a grading service is wise for any example. San Francisco struck 206,524 dimes in 1886, another scarce date, before output climbed to 4,454,450 in 1887. Philadelphia made 2,532,497 dimes in 1885, so a dime of that year without a mint mark is common. The 930 proof dimes of 1885 were all struck at Philadelphia. A genuine 1885-S weighs about 2.50 grams.

San Francisco returns and the final Seated dimes (1884 to 1891)

San Francisco struck dimes again in 1884, with 564,969 made. Its 1885-S run was just 43,690, the key of the 1880s and a coin that is rare in every grade. The 1886-S, at 206,524, is also scarce. An S added to a common Philadelphia coin is the main trick to watch for on both dates. From 1887 on San Francisco produced far more, with 4,454,450 in 1887 and between 972,678 and 3,196,116 a year after that. Collectors list two sizes of S on the 1890-S.

Philadelphia's mintages climbed unevenly, from 2,532,497 in 1885 to 11,283,229 in 1887 and 9,910,951 in 1890. In 1891 it struck 15,310,000, the largest dime mintage of the series. New Orleans returned that year after more than thirty years with 4,540,000. Some 1891-O dimes show an O punched over an earlier O that was placed on its side.

Charles Barber's new design replaced the Seated dime in 1892, ending a run of fifty five years. The late Philadelphia dates are common and good choices for a type set in higher grades. The 1891 is among the easiest Seated dimes to find in uncirculated condition. Proof production stayed between 590 and 930 a year from 1884 to 1891. If you have an S dime from 1885 or 1886, though, read the date and mint mark carefully, since both are worth having checked by an expert.