Imagine owning a coin so rare, there’s only one known to exist in the entire world. That’s the story of the 1873 CC No Arrows Seated Liberty Dime—a true treasure in American coin history, and one of the rarest U.S. coins ever made.
A Coin Born from Big Changes
In 1873, the U.S. government passed a law called the Coinage Act of 1873. It changed how coins were made and moved the country toward using gold instead of silver for its money system. The new law slightly changed the weight of silver coins like dimes, quarters, and half dollars.
To show that these coins had a new weight, the Mint added little arrows next to the date on the front (obverse) of each coin. But before that change took effect, the Carson City Mint in Nevada made a small batch of dimes without arrows—the so-called “No Arrows” dimes. Almost all of them were melted down… except for one.
Quick Coin Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Designer | Christian Gobrecht |
| Metal | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Weight | 2.50 grams |
| Diameter | 17.9 mm |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Mintage | About 12,400 (before melt) |
Why Is This Coin So Special?
- Low Production: Only around 12,400 dimes were made before the arrows were added.
- Almost All Were Melted: After the new rules kicked in, the Mint destroyed most of the “No Arrows” dimes.
- Just One Survives: That makes this the only known example—a dream coin for collectors.
How Much Is It Worth?
This dime isn’t just rare—it’s priceless in the eyes of collectors. Here’s what’s happened with it so far:
- In 2004, it sold at auction for $891,250.
- Experts believe it’s now worth over $2 million—but because it’s so rare, it could go for even more in a private sale.
A Look at the Design
The coin shows Lady Liberty sitting on a rock, holding a pole with a cap on top. This classic image, designed by Christian Gobrecht, was used on dimes from 1837 to 1891. The back (reverse) of the coin has a wreath around the words “ONE DIME.”
How the Coinage Act Changed Things
The Coinage Act of 1873 had major effects:
- It demonetized silver, making gold the main currency standard.
- Coins got new metric weights.
- Arrows were added to silver coins to show the new weight.
- Some coins—like the two-cent piece and silver three-cent coin—were discontinued.
Conclusion
The 1873 CC No Arrows Seated Liberty Dime isn’t just a coin—it’s a piece of history. With only one known to exist, it’s a symbol of a major turning point in American money. Whether you’re a coin collector or just love history, this dime is a legendary reminder of how even small objects can tell big stories.
FAQ’s
Why were arrows added to coins in 1873?
Arrows were added to show a slight weight increase in silver coins after the Coinage Act of 1873.
How many 1873-CC No Arrows dimes still exist?
Only one is known to exist today, making it a unique piece.
Where was the 1873-CC No Arrows dime minted?
It was minted at the Carson City Mint in Nevada before the weight change went into effect.
