1837 10C Capped Bust VF30 Certification #43055152, PCGS #4529

Ron Guth

1837 was a transitional year in which the new Seated Liberty design replaced the old Capped Bust design.  Normally, such design changes prompted collectors to put away extra examples of the last year of issue, but there were very few collectors in America in 1837, thus there is not an inflated supply of 1837 Capped Bust Dimes.  However, the smaller mintage of the 1837 Capped Bust Dime (the lowest of the Small Diameter Dimes) and the fact that it commands hardly any price premium at all, makes this a popular date with collectors and a good value for the type collector.

Mint State examples of the 1837 Capped Bust Dime are scarce, but not rare.  MS62 to MS64 examples are the most available.  Gem examples are rare, and none are known above MS66.

There are four individual die varieties for this year, three of which have Block 8's in the date, and a fourth which has a Fancy 8 in the date.  The Fancy 8 variety is very common and the Block 8's range from common to very scarce.