1868 Dime Error List with Pictures

Two extra numeral fragments inside Liberty’s seat helped identify an 1868 Proof dime that sold for $1,700.23 in June 2017. Proofs are specially made collector coins.

These 1868 Liberty Seated dime errors have estimated whole-coin values of $50–$4,000. They include repeated date digits, marks from colliding tools, doubled back-side detail, and misplaced digits.

Read on to compare each feature while keeping Philadelphia, San Francisco, Proof, and circulation examples separate.

1. 1868 Liberty Seated Dime Repunched 18 (Estimated Up to $1,500)

Look just above the base of the 1 for an extra raised outline. On the Philadelphia F-103 variety, it remains from an earlier impression of the date punch.

Better-preserved examples can also show a trace inside the lower part of the first 8’s bottom loop. Wear can make that second clue harder to see.

The date was entered again in the steel stamping tool before the coins were made. It did not require two blows on each coin.

These marks sit near the normal date, unlike the separate variety with extra digits inside Liberty’s seat.

Estimated Value

Circulated F-103 dimes have an estimated whole-coin range of $50–$1,500. Clear repeated digits, strong remaining detail, and original surfaces support better prices.

Ordinary Philadelphia dimes graded PCGS VF30 and XF40 sold for $134 and $159 in April 2025. Both are worn grades, with XF40 retaining more detail.

Neither sale was identified as F-103. They show the scale for the underlying coin, while a clear, sought-after variety still needs a closer comparison.

How to Identify

Bring a magnifier to the base of the 1 first. Look for the raised trace just above it, then check the lower loop of the first 8 if wear permits.

Compare the date’s position beneath Liberty with an F-103 photograph. One thick-looking number is not enough; the extra outline should have the correct shape and location.

This Philadelphia circulation coin has no mintmark. Use a scale and calipers against about 2.49 grams and 17.9 mm for its 90% silver alloy.

Inspect the edge grooves for filing or other damage. For a quick identification, match the raised trace above the 1’s base before looking for the fainter mark inside the 8.

 

2. 1868 Liberty Seated Dime Clashed Dies (Estimated Up to $3,000)

A faint piece of wreath can appear near Liberty where it does not belong. It came from the opposite stamping tool after the two tools struck each other without a coin between them.

The damaged tools then passed those extra shapes onto later coins. This is called a die clash.

Clashing is reported for Philadelphia, and a later-struck San Francisco example shows marks on both faces. The latter also has worn border teeth and stronger fine lines from spreading metal.

Those fine lines and worn borders do not prove clashing by themselves.

Estimated Value

Estimate $50–$600 for circulated examples with clear clash marks and $600–$3,000 for suitable lower-grade unworn coins. The mint and overall condition are important parts of the whole-coin value.

The Philadelphia VF30 and XF40 sales at $134 and $159 provide ordinary circulated comparisons. They are not prices for the illustrated clashed coin.

An S-mint example needs a San Francisco comparison. Exceptionally high-grade coins also need their own assessment beyond this introductory range.

How to Identify

Check below the wreath for an S before choosing a comparison image. No mintmark means Philadelphia, while S identifies San Francisco.

Use a scale against 2.49 grams and calipers against 17.9 mm, allowing for wear. Inspect the grooves around the edge as part of the basic coin check.

Under a magnifier, move the light across the flat areas beside the picture. Search for an extra shape that matches a recognizable part of the opposite face.

For the documented S example, inspect both faces. Fine spreading lines or random scratches do not replace that match.

Begin by comparing an unwanted contour with the opposite design, using a confirmed clashed example from the same mint.

 

3. 1868 Liberty Seated Dime Doubled Die Reverse (Estimated Up to $4,000)

The ribbon ends and parts of the wreath have small repeated outlines on the Philadelphia F-105 variety. These outlines were already on the steel tool that stamped the back.

A single strike could therefore produce doubled detail. The feature is not present on every 1868 dime with a thick-looking leaf.

The tool combination made both Proof and circulation coins. Its front also has the misplaced digits discussed next, so one coin can carry both features.

The Philadelphia pattern should be matched on its own, rather than borrowed from a San Francisco example.

Estimated Value

Collectible Proofs from this variety have an estimated whole-coin range of $500–$4,000. Preservation, attractive surfaces, and the quality of the reflective background affect their value.

The NGC PR66 Cameo F-105 sold for $1,700.23 in June 2017. Cameo describes contrast between the picture and background.

That one price includes the misplaced digits on the front and the back-side doubling. Do not add a second full price for the wreath; circulation examples need a separate comparison.

How to Identify

Follow the ribbon ends into the wreath with a magnifier and compare the outlines with the F-105 photograph. Tilt the light to separate rounded extra edges from reflections or flat shelves.

Turn to Liberty’s seat and check the matching misplaced digits. Confirm that the coin has no S mintmark before using this Philadelphia comparison.

Use calipers and a scale against 17.9 mm and 2.49 grams for the normal 90% silver dime. Inspect the edge grooves and the complete surfaces.

A shiny patch alone does not prove a Proof finish. To recognize the doubling quickly, match the repeated ribbon and wreath outlines to the same F-105 example.

 

4. 1868 Liberty Seated Dime Misplaced Digits in Liberty’s Seat (Estimated Up to $4,000)

Two extra parts of the numeral 1 sit inside Liberty’s rocky seat, above the normal 18. The upper fragment shows an upright stroke and foot below the end of the scroll.

Part of another foot appears immediately beneath it. These marks came from punches placed in the wrong area of the stamping tool.

The intended 1868 date remains below Liberty, so this is not an old year changed into a new one. The F-105 Proof shows the feature, and circulation use of the tools is also documented.

Estimated Value

Heritage sold the NGC PR66 Cameo F-105 for $1,700.23 on June 8, 2017. An estimated $500–$4,000 covers collectible Proofs across differing levels of preservation.

Original surfaces and strong contrast can support better comparisons. The amount values one complete Proof, not two separately priced misplaced punches.

A circulation coin struck with the same tools belongs in its own price group. Shared numeral fragments alone do not give it the value of a Proof.

How to Identify

Look above the first two normal date digits with a magnifier. Inside the rocky seat, find the upper 1 below the scroll end, then the partial foot beneath it.

Compare both fragments with the documented shapes. A random line or scratch through the seat should not be treated as another digit merely because it looks straight.

Weigh the coin against 2.49 grams and measure it with calipers against 17.9 mm. This Philadelphia issue uses 90% silver and a grooved edge.

Inspect those grooves and assess the complete finish separately. Start by matching both raised fragments in their correct positions above 18, rather than deciding from one bright line.

 

Conclusion

Estimated whole-coin values for these 1868 dimes span $50–$4,000. Look beside the normal date for repunching, inside the seat for misplaced digits, and around the wreath for doubled outlines or transferred shapes.

Keep each mint and finish separate when comparing prices. A single F-105 can show both misplaced digits and back-side doubling, but the $1,700.23 Proof sale still values only one complete coin.