PCGS Nos: 4585, 4731

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 72,500
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:
This date was nicknamed "Little Orphan Annie" by Frank Ross of Kansas City, MO, who promoted this date as a rarity during the early 1930's.  The purported rarity of this date has been attributed to the theft by Indians of $5,000 worth of 1844 Dimes on their way to California and to their destruction in the great Chicago fire.  In reality, much of the "rarity" of this date can be attributed to a hoard of 612 pieces offered for sale by Heritage Numismatic Auctions as Lot 6543 in their Baltimore Signature Sale, July 26-28, 2003.  The hoard contained grades ranging from Poor-1 to PCGS AU-53.

The finest Uncirculated examples graded by PCGS are 2 MS-65's.

The finest Proof example graded by PCGS is a single PR-65.

Significant examples:
"Proof" (illustrated above).  Ex - Pittman

Recent appearances:
PCGS Proof-63.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions "Baltimore Signature Sale", July 26-28, 2003, Lot 6568

VF-20.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries' Robert W. Schwan Collection Sale, October 26-27, 2000, Lot 590, sold for $690.00

Very Good to Fine.  Ex - Stack's "65th Anniversary Sale", October 17-19, 2000, Lot 503, "Orphan Annie Dime", not plated, sold for $299.00

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