1861-S 10C AU55 Certification #28687068, PCGS #4634

1861-S 10C - Civil War Collection –San Francisco minted coins in the 1861 era are rare because of the scarcity of coin collectors on the west coast. This especially affects the availability of coins in higher grades. For example, the 1861-S dime mintage population of 172,500 coins appears to be an adequate level to supply collectors with this type/category of coin; however, the estimated survival rate is a meager 250 coins (PCGS April 10, 2016). To further support the rarity of the 1861-S dime, PCGS has graded 73 coins and NGC a mere 25 coins. (Source: PCGS & NGC April 10, 2016). PCGS has only graded 9 coins higher than AU55. This 1861-S dime reflects excellent eye appeal and has minimal to no toning for the mint/era coin. It is well deserving of the AU55 grade given by PCGS.

Ron Guth

The 1861-S Dime is much more scarce than the mintage indicates, as is the case with many of the S-Mint issues of this era.  The dearth of collectors on the West coast meant the coins circulated until they wore out or were lost.  Thus, a coin from the San Francisco Mint will have a lower survival rate than the a coin of the same date and similar mintage from the Philadelphia Mint.  Also, few collectors existed in the San Francisco area, thus fewer high-grade coins were preserved.

Mint State 1861-S Dimes are truly rare and they are seldom nice enough to be called choice.  PCGS and NGC have each graded an MS66 example, with very little underlying support.  The strike is decent, in general, though the details became mushy as the dies wore out.  Die clashing is sometimes seen on the left side of the obverse.

Gerry Fortin has identified two different die varieties for this year.  Assuming no more varieties are discovered, this gives an average die life of 86,250 coins.