1842 $10 Small Date (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $10 1838-1907

PCGS MS62+

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1842 $10 Date Comparison

PCGS MS61

PCGS #:: 8585

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 26.80 millimeters

Weight:: 16.70 grams

Mintage:: 18,623

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $63,000 • MS62+ • 04-13-2022 • Stack's Bowers

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (2)

Major Varieties

1842 $10 Large Date
1842 $10 Small Date

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Price Guide (USD)

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For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	75	R-8.2	18 / 64 TIE	35 / 183 TIE
60 or Better	3	R-9.8	13 / 64 TIE	30 / 183 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 64	1 / 183

Survival Estimate
All Grades	75
60 or Better	3
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-8.2
60 or Better	R-9.8
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	18 / 64 TIE
60 or Better	13 / 64 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 64

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	35 / 183 TIE
60 or Better	30 / 183 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 183

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS63 PCGS grade
2	MS62 PCGS grade	Harry Bass - Bowers & Merena 10/1999:1324, $18,400
2	MS62 estimated grade	National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution
3	MS61 PCGS grade	Heritage 7/2014:3948, $16,450
5	MS60 PCGS grade	Heritage 8/1998:7746, $11,212
6	AU58 PCGS grade
6	AU58 PCGS grade
6	AU58 PCGS grade
6	AU58 estimated grade

#1 MS63 PCGS grade

#2 MS62 PCGS grade

Harry Bass - Bowers & Merena 10/1999:1324, $18,400

#2 MS62 estimated grade

National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution

#3 MS61 PCGS grade

Heritage 7/2014:3948, $16,450

#5 MS60 PCGS grade

Heritage 8/1998:7746, $11,212

#6 AU58 PCGS grade

#6 AU58 estimated grade

David Akers (1975/88):

Both the auction data and my own experience indicate that the Small Date and Large Date varieties of 1842 are of comparable overall rarity. It is quite likely therefore that the 81,507 mintage for the 1842 was broken down fairly evenly between the two varieties. The 1842 Small Date is rare in any condition and, when available, the typical specimen grades VF or EF and is well struck, often with prooflike or prartially prooflike surfaces. Almost Uncirculated examples are extremely rare and I have never personally examined a strictly uncirculated specimen.

Gordon Wrubel: Quickfinder Notes: The Small Date utilizes the smaller date punches as on the first two years of the Liberty Head design, 1840 and 1841. It is easily distinguished by the PLAIN CROSSBAR of the 4. The Large Date has much larger digits and a CROSSLET 4. The Large Date is seen about twice as often as the Small Date. Both varieties are scarce in AU condition are rare in Mint State. In 2013, the Large Date population shows five Mint State examples topped by one in MS-65. The Small Date has only three in Mint State the highest being MS-63. Proof examples bear the Small Date. These are excessively rare with only two examples reported. One of these is in our National Collection enshrined in the Smithsonian Museum.