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Coin of the Day
1870 J-837 Silver Pattern Dime
NGC PF-65
Click image to enlarge and learn more.
1870 J-837 Silver Pattern Dime
The American Civil War was financed with gold coin, and this left Americans to rely on unredeemable paper currency for their own domestic use. This caused the widespread hoarding of hard money throughout the war and for years afterward. Were it not for surviving correspondence of the United States Mint, the meaning of the word STANDARD on the reverse of this dime pattern might remain a mystery. We know, however, that it refers to the conventional silver coin alloy of .900 fine. By reducing the size and thus the weight of silver coins, the Mint hoped to get them back into circulation. A gem proof, this beautiful specimen features dies by Chief Engraver William Barber. All devices are fully struck, though portions of the borders are incomplete. Brilliant surfaces have combined with attractive toning of smoky gray and speckled russet for a most pleasing effect.
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The NGC online census of graded coins is a wonderful tool that is intuitive and user-friendly.
You’ll find a complete listing of USA coin types, divided into MS (Mint State and circulated coins)
and PF (Proof coins). Clicking on the desired category will open that particular selection, and further
options for obtaining more detailed information will appear. A separate tab is provided for
NGC-certified world coins.
Go to NGC Census »
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NGC Research Director Dave Lange looks at the entire series of United States coins, on a type-by-type
basis, providing tips on how each coin type is graded and qualities to seek in selecting optimum examples.
Now you can shop for coins well armed with useful facts and insights that will help you avoid many pitfalls.
Go to the Coin Grading Guide — From 1 to 70 »
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Use this online tool to compare the certification details of any coin against the NGC certification database.
This is also a great launching off point to learn more about your coin. In addition to seeing the grade and
attribution details associated with your coins, you will also be provided the NumisMedia Price Guide value,
a link to its population figures and a link to its coin encyclopedia entry.
Verify Certification tool instructions»
Go to Verify Certification »
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The Coin Encyclopedia contains historical summaries prepared by NGC's research department with obverse and
reverse images of the coin and including detailed information about coin designs and associated reference
materials. You can search by category or by entering a term in the search field. Currently there are almost
200 coin designs in the library.
Go to the Coin Encyclopedia »
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A feature incorporated into the online Census of NGC-certified coins is the NumisMedia Price Guide. By
clicking on a highlighted coin issue, a table appears that features both that coin’s certified population
and its corresponding values across several grades. These figures represent the Fair Market Value as
established by NumisMedia, an independent compiler of prices at which coins are offered to collectors by
dealers.
Go to the Numismatic FMV Price Guide »
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NGC's research department uses many resources when researching information for VarietyPlus and the Coin
Encyclopedia. You can search through the Reference used from this page.
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NGC maintains a comprehensive guide to the varieties we recognize on our website, and a future release of
this catalog includes important attribution information and detailed photographs. Coin details are a benefit
of paid NGC Collectors Society membership. All visitors may explore the VarietyPlus category information.
Go to VarietyPlus »
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Numismatics, like any specialized field, has a language all its own. To help you find your way, NGC created this alphabetical glossary of common numismatic terms that you may encounter on the NGC certification label and elsewhere on this
Web site.
Go to Glossary »
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