1801 Dime Value Checker: Errors List & No Mint Mark Worth

Understanding 1801 Dime value starts with one simple reality: condition drives everything. This early Draped Bust silver coin from America’s first decade of dime production has survived more than two centuries, and what it’s worth today depends largely on how well it held up.

A Good-grade example averages around $1,148 — already a meaningful sum for a worn coin — while an About Uncirculated specimen climbs to roughly $19,550. Mint State survivors sit in a category entirely their own.

Whether you’re new to early American coinage or adding to an existing collection, knowing these benchmarks gives you a practical foundation before buying or selling.

 

1801 Dime Value By Variety

The 1801 Dime varies significantly in value depending on its condition, ranging from well-circulated grades to exceptional mint state examples.

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Dimes Worth Money (Most Expensive)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1801 Dime Worth Money

The chart above presents the 10 highest auction results for the 1801 Draped Bust dime from 2000 to the present, with realized prices ranging from $21,850 to $111,625.

Price differences are driven by three factors: die variety, grade, and surviving population. The 1801 JR-1 MS65 leads at $111,625 because it is the finest known example of that variety at that grade — with just one coin known at MS65, representing an extreme level of scarcity.

The distinction between JR-1 and JR-2 stems from different reverse dies used during production. JR-1 is relatively more common than JR-2, yet already rare above VF30, with no more than two examples known in MS60 or better.

Grade increments produce non-linear price jumps — the MS65 specimen commands roughly $65,000 more than the MS63, confirming the premium that top-tier condition commands in numismatic markets.

From a historical standpoint, the 1801 dime represents one of the scarcest dates in the Draped Bust series, with a total mintage of only 34,640 pieces, most of which were lost to circulation wear or melting over two centuries. Surviving examples serve as irreplaceable physical evidence of the early American monetary system, underpinning their sustained high valuations.

 

History of the 1801 Dime

When the Second U.S. Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1792, it built the nation’s currency on a decimal system — moving away from British fractional coinage. The idea of decimalized money had been championed as early as 1783 by Thomas Jefferson, who first proposed it while serving as a Virginia delegate in the Continental Congress. Alexander Hamilton also endorsed the decimal system, recommending six denominations including a silver coin worth one-tenth of a dollar.

The Act established the disme — pronounced “deem,” from an archaic French word meaning one-tenth — as the ten-cent denomination. The first dimes for circulation appeared in 1796, with the spelling simplified to “dime.”

The first circulating dime was the Draped Bust, designed by Chief Engraver Robert Scot. Lady Liberty’s portrait on the obverse was based on Gilbert Stuart’s drawing of socialite Ann Willing Bingham, wife of noted statesman William Bingham of Philadelphia.

Early on, the reverse depicted a small eagle — which critics called “scrawny.” In 1798, Scot replaced it with a Heraldic Eagle modeled after the Great Seal of the United States. Interestingly, the new reverse showed 16 stars rather than 13, because the dies were shared interchangeably with quarter eagle gold coins, which had nearly the same diameter — an economy measure the Mint used to reduce the cost of die production.

The 1801 dime falls squarely within this transitional era of early American coinage. In 1984, five numismatic scholars — David J. Davis, Russell J. Logan, Allen F. Lovejoy, John W. McCloskey, and William L. Subjack — published the definitive reference on the series: Early United States Dimes 1796–1837. Walter Breen, who wrote the preface, described it as “an important contribution to the still incomplete corpus of studies on American federal coinages.” That work remains the standard reference for variety attribution today.

The Draped Bust dime series was discontinued after 1807. The denomination was then redesigned in 1809 as the Capped Bust dime by John Reich.

Today, the 1801 dime is regarded as a rare survivor of America’s earliest coinage efforts — and along with the 1798–1803 dates, is considered a semi-key within the Draped Bust series by leading numismatic authorities.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money List (Year Chart)

 

Is Your 1801 Dime Rare?

Discover where your 1801 Dime ranks among America’s rarest coins — check its true rarity and value instantly with the Coin Value Checker App.

 

Key Features of the 1801 Dime

The US Mint produced the Draped Bust dime from 1796 to 1807, with 1801 representing one of the scarcest dates in the entire series. Only 34,640 examples were struck that year, making it one of the lowest-mintage issues of the early American coinage era and a highly sought-after rarity among collectors.

Due to the primitive striking technology of the period and the intricate high-relief design, well-struck 1801 dimes with full details are exceptionally rare. Most surviving examples show significant wear, and finding one with sharp definition on Liberty’s hair curls and the eagle’s breast feathers commands a significant premium.

The Obverse of the 1801 Dime

The obverse features the iconic Draped Bust of Liberty designed by Robert Scot, modeled after a portrait sketch by artist Gilbert Stuart of Philadelphia socialite Ann Willing Bingham.

Liberty faces right, with flowing curly hair tied with a ribbon, and a draped neckline suggesting classical antiquity.

The word “LIBERTY” is inscribed along the upper arc, the date “1801” appears at the bottom center, and thirteen six-pointed stars — representing the original colonies — ring the portrait, seven to the left and six to the right.

The Reverse of the 1801 Dime

The reverse displays a Heraldic Eagle adapted from the Great Seal of the United States. The eagle is shown with wings spread wide, clutching an olive branch in its right talon and a bundle of arrows in its left.

A shield covers its breast, and a scroll in its beak bears the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” A constellation of stars bursts above the eagle’s head, and the legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” encircles the design. No denomination appears anywhere on the coin — an omission common to early American issues, since the Coinage Act of 1792 only required cents and half cents to display their face value.

Other Features of the 1801 Dime

The 1801 Draped Bust dime is a round coin composed of 89.2% silver and 10.8% copper, with a reeded edge. It weighs 2.70 grams and measures approximately 19.8 millimeters in diameter — specifications established by the Coinage Act of 1792. All 1801 dimes were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which was the only active U.S. Mint facility at the time, and thus bear no mint mark.

Also Read: Top 70+ Most Valuable Mercury Dimes Worth Money (Chart By Year)

 

1801 Dime Mintage & Survival Data

The 1801 Draped Bust dime was struck exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint, with a total mintage of 34,640 pieces — a relatively small output even by early American coinage standards.

After more than two centuries of circulation and the passage of time, only approximately 175 examples are known to survive today, yielding a remarkably low survival rate of just 0.5052%. This figure starkly illustrates how precious and scarce these coins have become.

The overall survival condition of the 1801 dime is comparable to that of the 1800 issue, but Mint State examples are considerably rarer for the 1801 date. The finest known example is the NGC MS65 from the celebrated Eugene Gardner Collection, which previously resided in the equally famous Norweb Collection. After that coin and the second-finest PCGS MS63 from the Waldo Bolen Collection — which was last seen publicly in 1995 and serves as the plate coin in Early United States Dimes 1796–1837 — the grade drops sharply to MS61, where only two or three examples are believed to exist.

Coins with well-preserved surfaces are exceedingly difficult to find, as the vast majority of surviving specimens display clear signs of wear and circulation. Owing to its historical significance and extreme scarcity, high-grade examples routinely command tens of thousands of dollars at auction.

Also Read: Roosevelt Dime Coin Value (1946-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1801 Dime Value

The 1801 Draped Bust Dime is one of America’s earliest coins — and knowing its true value could be more rewarding than you think.

To assess your coin, start by examining its condition: look for sharpness of detail, surface marks, and overall luster. Next, check the mint mark area and any visible die variety diagnostics, as these factors significantly impact collectibility. Finally, compare it against reputable grading standards.

Every detail matters when it comes to rare early American coinage.

Skip the guesswork — use Coin Value Checker App to instantly identify, grade, and discover the value of your 1801 Dime and thousands of other coins, all from your phone.

 

1801 Dime Value Guides

• 1801 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia Mint)

The 1801 Dime with no mint mark was struck at the Philadelphia Mint — the only coining facility in operation at the time — with a total mintage of approximately 34,640 pieces. Two die varieties exist for this issue, known as JR-1 and JR-2, produced from a single obverse die paired with two different reverse dies.

JR-1 is the more common of the two, identifiable by a raised die line (called a “spine”) on the reverse running from the upper right tip of the shield up into the field. Despite its relatively higher availability compared to JR-2, high-grade examples of either variety are exceedingly rare and command substantial premiums.

 

1801 No Mint Mark Dime Value

The 1801 Draped Bust Dime — struck at the Philadelphia Mint with no mint mark, as was standard for the era — is one of the most historically compelling pieces in early American coinage. With a total mintage of just 34,640, this coin represents a genuinely scarce survivor from the young nation’s formative years of monetary development.

What makes it especially captivating for serious collectors is condition rarity: Uncirculated examples are very rare and almost never nice. After the top two known specimens (the NGC MS65 Gardner coin and the PCGS MS63 Bolen coin), the grade drops sharply to MS61, where only two or three examples are thought to exist.

Even worn circulated examples regularly trade in the hundreds of dollars. A PCGS MS65 example achieved $50,600 at a Bowers & Merena auction on August 9, 2000 — a figure that speaks volumes about how fiercely collectors compete for high-grade survivors.

As part of the short-lived Draped Bust series (1796–1807), this coin belongs to the very first iteration of the American ten-cent denomination, giving it an irreplaceable position in U.S. numismatic history that few coins can match.

The auction record chart below tells the story of how prices have moved over time for this date.

And if you’re curious about how actively collectors are pursuing this coin right now, the Market Activity section gives you a real-time pulse on current demand.

1801 JR-1 Dime Value

The 1801 JR-1 is the more obtainable of the two die varieties that make up the entire 1801 dime mintage — but “more obtainable” is relative. Both varieties are scarce to rare, and as the research team of Davis, Logan, Lovejoy, McCloskey, and Subjack noted back in 1984, the JR-1 was already considered scarce in VF30 or better and described as being of “the highest rarity” in MS60, with no more than two known at that time.

Not much has changed since. We now know of three Mint State examples in total.

The finest is the NGC MS65 formerly in both the Norweb and Eugene Gardner Collections, which sold in 2014 for $111,625. The second finest, a PCGS MS63 from the Waldo Bolen Collection, was last seen in 1995 and is the plate coin in Early United States Dimes, 1796–1837.

What makes this variety immediately identifiable is its reverse: the JR-1 shows a raised die line (or “spine”) running from the upper right tip of the shield up into the field — a diagnostic feature visible even on worn examples. In terms of circulated value, solid VF examples can fetch several hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on eye appeal and surface quality.

For collectors pursuing early American dimes at the variety level, the JR-1 occupies a rare sweet spot — historically significant, diagnostically distinct, and genuinely hard to find in any grade above Fine.

1801 JR-2 Dime Value

The 1801 JR-2 sits at the other end of the spectrum — it is the scarcer of the two die varieties that make up the 1801 dime date, making it a notable find for specialists who pursue this series at the variety level. Known examples have been graded as high as MS62, and even reaching that level is a considerable achievement given how few survivors exist in any Uncirculated state.

What sets the JR-2 apart isn’t just its relative scarcity compared to JR-1. It’s the compounding rarity of finding one with solid eye appeal and a decent strike, since early Draped Bust dimes were notoriously weakly struck, and the JR-2 can be even more pronounced in this regard — meaning examples with sharp, well-defined details command meaningful premiums.

Circulated 1801 dimes across both varieties can range from around $700 in Poor condition up to $27,500 for an About Uncirculated example. For a confirmed JR-2, expect the upper end of that range to stretch further given its added scarcity.

For collectors building a complete die variety set of early American dimes, the JR-2 is typically the last piece to fall into place — often taking years of patient searching to locate a problem-free example.

Also Read: 16 Rare Dime Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 1801 Dime Error List

Error coins from 1801 are not the product of modern machinery malfunctions — they reflect the realities of early hand-operated minting. At the Philadelphia Mint in 1801, dies were engraved by hand, planchets were weighed and adjusted manually, and the striking process in hand-powered screw presses left plenty of room for inconsistency. Understanding these errors helps you evaluate any 1801 Dime you encounter.

1. 1801 Dime Weak Strike Error

Dies that strike thin planchets operate within a very narrow clearance range — if the clearance grows even slightly, the strike will be weak. This is especially relevant to dimes, which are among the thinnest denominations struck at the time.

On the 1801 Dime, weak strikes commonly show up as flat hair curls on Liberty’s portrait, softly defined eagle feathers on the reverse, and poorly formed stars along the rim. When evaluating your coin, it’s important not to confuse weak strike with wear — if the high contact points are bold but the details appear weak, the coin likely has a strike issue rather than surface wear. A well-struck 1801 Dime is genuinely scarce, and examples with sharper-than-average detail carry a noticeable premium.

2. 1801 Dime Adjustment Mark Error

Before a planchet was struck, Mint workers would weigh it against a standard. If it came in slightly overweight, they filed it down by hand to bring it within tolerance.

These filing marks — known as adjustment marks — appear as thin, parallel lines running across the coin’s surface, often through Liberty’s portrait or across the eagle. While considered a Mint-made characteristic rather than damage, adjustment marks do affect eye appeal and can influence a coin’s final grade. Finding an 1801 Dime completely free of adjustment marks is genuinely uncommon and adds to its desirability.

3. 1801 Dime Die Crack Error

As dies were used repeatedly through a production run, metal fatigue caused hairline fractures to develop across the die face. These cracks transferred to coins as raised, jagged lines running across the surface.

Late die-state examples of the 1801 Dime — those struck after significant cracking had developed — are particularly interesting to collectors who study die progression. Each crack tells part of the story of how far that specific die traveled before it was retired.

4. 1801 Dime Die Clash Error

A die clash occurs when the hammer die and anvil die strike each other with no planchet between them. When this happens, each die picks up a ghost impression of the opposing design, which then transfers to subsequently struck coins as faint incuse (recessed) outlines of the opposite side’s design.

On Draped Bust dimes, die clashes have been documented on related issues — including the 1796 Draped Bust Dime, where a clash of Liberty’s outline appears on the reverse. On the 1801 Dime, any example showing traces of Liberty’s portrait on the reverse or eagle details on the obverse may represent a die clash, and these are worth having examined by a specialist. Die clashes are much rarer on early screw press coins than on later machine-struck issues, as operators could more easily detect and discard misstrikes.

5. 1801 Dime Clipped Planchet Error

A clipped planchet error occurs when the steel punches used to cut planchets from metal strips overlap a previously punched hole, resulting in a coin with a crescent-shaped piece of metal missing from its edge.

On 1801 Dimes, planchet preparation was entirely manual, making this type of error a genuine product of the era’s limitations rather than machine malfunction. A curved clip is the most common form. Any 1801 Dime with a clipped planchet is a major rarity given the coin’s already extreme scarcity, and such a piece would command significant interest from both early American coinage specialists and error coin collectors.

 

Where to Sell Your 1801 Dime?

After determining what your coins are worth, you’re probably wondering about convenient online selling options. I’ve researched and compiled a guide to the best platforms, outlining their services, pros, and cons.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

FAQ about the 1801 Dime

1. How many 1801 Dimes were made?

The total mintage of the 1801 Dime was 34,640 pieces — a very small number even by early American standards. Of those, only approximately 175 are known to survive in any collectible condition today, representing a survival rate of just over 0.5%. The vast majority circulated heavily in everyday commerce and were eventually lost, melted, or worn beyond recognition.

2. What design does the 1801 Dime feature?

The 1801 Dime belongs to the Draped Bust series, struck from 1796 through 1807. The obverse portrays Liberty facing right with her hair tied back, flanked by 13 stars and dated at the bottom, based on a Gilbert Stuart drawing of Ann Willing Bingham. The reverse features a Heraldic Eagle with wings spread, a shield on its breast, holding arrows and an olive branch, with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” on a ribbon in its beak. Notably, no denomination appears anywhere on the coin.

3. How many die varieties exist for the 1801 Dime?

Two die varieties make up the entire mintage of 1801 Dimes — known as JR-1 and JR-2, named using the system developed in the 1984 reference book Early United States Dimes, 1796–1837 by Davis, Logan, Lovejoy, McCloskey, and Subjack. Both are scarce, with JR-2 being the rarer of the two. Variety collectors typically need years of searching to locate a solid example of either, particularly above Fine condition.

4. What is the 1801 Dime worth?

Value depends heavily on grade and eye appeal. Worn examples in lower circulated grades start in the hundreds of dollars, while nicer VF and EF examples move into the thousands. At the top end, a PCGS MS65 example realized $50,600 at a Bowers & Merena auction on August 9, 2000, and a confirmed NGC MS65 JR-1 variety (ex Norweb and Gardner) sold for $111,625 in 2014 — reflecting just how competitive bidding becomes when a premium example surfaces.

5. What makes the JR-1 variety identifiable?

The JR-1 variety is identified by a spine — a raised die line — on the reverse that runs from the upper right tip of the shield up into the open field. This diagnostic feature is visible even on heavily worn examples, making it one of the more reliably identifiable variety markers on any early American coin. Once you know what to look for, it can be spotted without magnification on cleaner specimens.

6. Is the 1801 Dime a good long-term investment?

Because of its historical importance and scarcity, the Draped Bust Dime is often viewed as a sound long-term hold. Its rarity tends to support and grow value over time, especially as fewer problem-free examples remain available on the market. That said, condition is everything — coins with problems like cleaning or damage trade at steep discounts, so prioritizing problem-free, certified examples from PCGS or NGC (Professional Coin Grading Service / Numismatic Guaranty Company) is the smartest approach for anyone buying with an eye toward the future.

7. Should beginners collect the 1801 Dime?

This series generally suits advanced collectors. Surviving examples are scarce and expensive — worn pieces command solid prices, and finding quality examples requires expertise, patience, and a substantial budget. Beginners interested in early American coinage are better served starting with a more accessible type, such as a Capped Bust dime, before committing to a coin at this level.

8. What is the reference book specialists use for 1801 Dime varieties?

The standard reference for 1801 Dime varieties is Early United States Dimes, 1796–1837, published in 1984. The book was written by five numismatic researchers: David J. Davis, Russell J. Logan, Allen F. Lovejoy, John W. McCloskey, and William L. Subjack. Walter Breen, one of the most respected names in American numismatics, wrote the preface. The JR variety numbering system used today — JR-1 and JR-2 for the 1801 date — comes directly from this publication.

9. What famous collections have included the 1801 Dime?

Two of the most celebrated numismatic collections in American history have included 1801 Dimes. The Norweb Collection, assembled by the prominent Norweb family over decades, contained the finest known JR-1 specimen, which later passed into the Eugene Gardner Collection — one of the most important early American coin collections assembled in the modern era. The Waldo Bolen Collection also held the second-finest known example, a PCGS MS63 that was last offered publicly in 1995.

10. How do you tell an 1801 Dime weak strike from circulation wear?

The key test is to examine the high contact points — the parts of the coin that would wear down first if circulated. On a weakly struck 1801 Dime, Liberty’s hair curls and the eagle’s feathers may appear soft and flat, yet the highest relief points (such as the cheekbone or the center of the eagle’s breast) will still show their full height with no friction marks.

On a worn coin, those same high points will appear flattened and smoothed by actual contact. If the coin looks flat everywhere but the fields still show original luster, weak strike — not wear — is the most likely explanation.