1838 Dime very worn, collectable or melt?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by 01mikep, Mar 5, 2015.

  1. 01mikep

    01mikep Well-Known Member

    I recently came into a very worn 1838 Dime and found myself wondering if it has any "value" beyond melt. I have an appreciation for older US coins but my collecting does not focus on them. When I visit a coin shop or show, if I don't find what I am looking for, I usually ask if they have any circulated mercury dimes. I will buy a hand full and put them in jar at home. This time there was a couple seated dimes, including this very circulated 1838 one.

    My question is, does this coin still retain any value as a collectable coin in the condition it is in or do I toss it in the jar. I put it in a 2x2 for now. Let me know what you think.

    Thanks for your time.
    1838 Dime Obv.JPG 1838 Dime Rev.JPG
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

  4. rooman9

    rooman9 Lovin Shiny Things

    Because it is so old I believe there is more than silver value.
     
  5. coinman1234

    coinman1234 Not a Well-Known Member

    Above melt, worth way more as a collectible coin.
     
  6. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

    Note:
    Since it is so worn, the reverse is barely readable.

    I would not pay more than a dime or two above melt.
     
  7. Mr. Flute

    Mr. Flute Well-Known Member

    To the knowledgeable/experienced collector it may be worth only what Treashunt said, which would be bought just for fun, because the cost is objectively low.

    Though, you might be able to find a YN or new collector willing to spend higher ($3-$5) because they simply want an 'old' coin and may not be as discerning about 'quality' - the old 'quantity vs. quality' conundrum that new coin collectors often have.
     
  8. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    I probably wouldn't either -- and, as a result, I would expect to get a coin like this very infrequently indeed. And when I did, I would count it as a very good deal. :)

    I'd certainly ask more than that when it came time to sell it.
     
    chromerunner likes this.
  9. okbustchaser

    okbustchaser I may be old but I still appreciate a pretty bust Supporter

    1838 Large Stars obverse---by far the most common of the 3 major varieties for the year. Give it to some YN at the next coin show you attend (or the next kid you see with his nose pressed up against the counter at your local shop) and make his day.
     
    Pere, chromerunner and Mr. Flute like this.
  10. Mr. Flute

    Mr. Flute Well-Known Member

    Great idea. I did something like this recently. I did a making change lessen/exercise for the son's last Tiger Cub meeting and it also steered into a coin collection discussion.

    The five boys (not including my son) each got a dateless Buffalo nickel and a circulated 40s Mercury dime as a take away. It 'cost' me a whole $6.25.

    Worth it.
     
    EagleEyez, Pere and chromerunner like this.
  11. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    I would probably grade the coin PO-01. There are some collectors who try and find the lowest grade possible, and they compete in "lowball" sets on PCGS. In these backwards sets, the PO-01 gets the most points. I'm not sure how common this type is in PO-01, but I've seen large premiums paid for the lowest graded coins.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page