United States 1854-O dime

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This design was struck at Philadelphia and New Orleans (shown here) 1853-55. The arrows were added to mark a reduction in weight from 2.67 g to 2.49 g after the California gold rush lowered gold prices to the point where silver was being melted and hoarded. This date is not rare but is awarded a 36% premium over the Philadelphia issue. The regular design of 1840-53 was resumed 1856-60.

Recorded mintage: 1,770,000.

Specification: 2.49 g, 0.900 fine silver, reeded edge, 17.9 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM 77.

Source:

• Breen, Walter H., Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins, New York: Doubleday, 1987.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.
• Alexander, David T., Coin World Comprehensive Catalog & Encyclopedia of United States Coins, Sidney, OH: Amos Press, 1995.

Link to:

• 1853 dime
• 1854 ½ dollar "arrows at date"
• 1854 gold dollar, type 2
• 1854 3 dollars
• 1854-C 5 dollars
• 1854-O 10 dollars
• 1854 20 dollars
• 1856 dime
• United States Seated Liberty Dimes (1837-1891)
• Coins and currency dated 1854