PCGS Nos: 4643, 4759, 84759, 94759

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 8,000
Proofs: 725

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

Diameter: ±17.9 millimeters

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

Weight: ±38 grains (±2.5 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: None (for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) below the ribbon bow on the reverse

Images courtesy of Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.

Notes:
The 1866 Dime is part of the Seated Liberty Dime series issued between 1837 and 1891, inclusive.  Most of the production efforts at the Philadelphia Mint in 1866 focused on the minor (base metal) coins, including the Three Cents and Five Cents made of Nickel.  Thus, the mintage of the 1866 Dime is very low: a mere 8,000 circulation strikes and only 725 Proofs.  Uncirculated examples are scarce, with MS-63 being the grade most often encountered.  

The finest Uncirculated example graded by PCGS is a single MS-67.

The finest Proof example graded by PCGS is a single PR-67.

The finest Proof Cameo examples graded by PCGS are 2 PRCA-66's

The finest Proof Deep Cameo example graded by PCGS is a single PRDC-65.

Recent appearances:
PCGS Proof-65.  Ex - James Macallister on March 31, 1944 as part of a run of Proof sets from 1858 to 1915 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.s' "Benson II" sale, February 18-19, 2002, Lot 531, illustrated, sold for $3,565.00

Proof-64.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries' Robert W. Schwan Collection Sale, October 26-27, 2000, Lot 599, sold for $506.00

NGC Proof 64.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 1577, not illustrated, sold for $632.00

NGC Proof-64.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part II", March 15-17, 2001, Lot 1515, sold for $603.75

IGC MS-65.  Ex - Superior Galleries "The ANA 2001 National Money Show Auction", March 8-9, 2001, Lot 182, unsold

NGC MS-64.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part II", March 15-17, 2001, Lot 1516, sold for $1,207.50

NGC MS-62.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Lake Geneva Sale", June 28-29, 2001, Lot 268, illustrated, sold for $1,265.00

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