PCGS Nos: 4583, 4730

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 1,370,000
Proofs: estimated 10

Designer: Obverse by Thomas Sully, executed by Christian Gobrecht, modified by Robert Ball Hughes; Reverse by Christian Gobrecht, modified by Robert Ball Hughes

Diameter: ±17.9 millimeters

Metal content:
Silver - ±90%
Copper - ±10%

Weight: ±41 grains (±2.7 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: None (for Philadelphia) below DIME on the reverse

Images courtesy of David Akers Numismatics, Inc.

Notes:
All known Proof 1843 Dimes have a raised, triangular lump on the rim between the 1st and 2nd stars.  This lump does not appear on any of the circulation strikes.

The finest Uncirculated example graded by PCGS is a single MS-66.

The finest Proof examples graded by PCGS are 2 PR-63's.

Known Proof examples:
1. "Very Choice Proof" (illustrated above).  Ex - Numismatic Gallery's 1946 ANA sale, Lot 266, sold for $17.00 - John Jay Pittman - David Akers Numismatics, Inc. "The John Jay Pittman Collection", October 21-23, 1997, Lot 595, illustrated

2. NGC Proof-64.  Ex - Bowers and Merena's Sale, August, 1998, Lot 107 - Ex Bowers and Merena Sale January 2000, Lot 116 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coin & Collectibles' "The Fairchild Family Trust Collection Sale", May 28-30, 2001, Lot 500, illustrated, "...tiny tick mark in the field between the first two stars, and another couple of ticks near Liberty's arm above her elbow in the left obverse field.", sold for $11,500.00

3. Proof.  Norweb

4. Proof.  Stack's 1984 sale of the Amon Carter collection, sold as part of an 1843 Proof set.

5. "Choice Proof or better".  Ex - Judge Joseph F. Sawicki, May 10, 1948, sold as part of a complete copper and silver Proof set (in an original case) for $225.00 - John Jay Pittman - David Akers Numismatics, Inc. "The John Jay Pittman Collection", October 21-23, 1997, Lot 832d, illustrated, "...the obverse, however, does have a few light, scattered hairlines...", sold as part of the complete 1843 Proof set (still in the original case) to which Pittman had added the Proof 1843 Quarter Eagle, Half Eagle, and Eagle!  This set may be complete set that appeared in the 1895 Winsor sale as Lot 1067, said to have been presented to President Tyler.

Significant examples:
PCGS MS-66.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 1573, illustrated, sold for $3,335.00 - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 6936, illustrated, no mention of the prior pedigree, sold for $3,105.00.  Although it is impossible to tell from the plates, these two appearances are most certainly of the same coin because, at the time of these sales, only a single PCGS MS-66 1843 Dime existed.

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The PCGS Population Report, October 2003" by The Professional Coin Grading Service