Expert: PAPAJACK - 12/26/2008

Question
i have a dime from 1849 is it worth anything?

Answer
Hello Jonas,                            

Nice find! This type coin is interesting.
The 1849 Seated Liberty dime was made at 2 mints Philadelphia with no mint mark, New Orleans with a mint mark O. Any mint mark would on the back in or below the wreath.

Coins are valued on a scale from 1 to 70. And on how rare a coin is. With no or little experience it is sometimes easier letting a collector look at them, and even most coin shops will help for free on one or two pieces.
 
In each series of coin type like your "Seated Dime" there are some quick reference points of wear to be seen on the high points that are known to show wear first. Most of these are covered in the RED BOOK titled - A GUIDE BOOK of UNITED STATES COINS - by R. S. Yeoman. If you can borrow a copy it will help. The grading details it describes at the start of each coin series is taken from the American Numismatic Association Standard. And uses the 1 to 70 scale recognized by all professionals since the 1970's.

Most circulated coins range from Good (grade-G4) to Almost Uncirculated (grade-AU50) on the scale. So remember a grade of Good or 4 out of a possible 70 is kind of a low grade.

I can only give you a range of prices at this time.

For an 1849 Philadelphia mint dime:
Very Good (Grade-8) = $14.50
Fine (grade-12) = $18.00
Very Fine (grade-20) = $23.00
Extremely Fine (grade-40) = $35.00 and
Almost Uncirculated (grade-50) = $64.00

For an 1849-O New Orleans mint dime:
Very Good (Grade-8) = $21.50
Fine (grade-12) = $30.00
Very Fine (grade-20) = $50.00
Extremely Fine (grade-40) = $100.00 and
Almost Uncirculated (grade-50) = $200.00
Yours may be more or less valuable.

If you write back with more information like mint mark, wear condition etc I can be more accurate for the value. Or if you need grading help let me know.

Good Luck

PapaJack