The coin is the sole survivor of a one-day run of dimes from Carson City, Nevada, a sparsely populated frontier town whose mints are now highly valued for their rarity and historical significance, the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper reported.
The anonymous winning bidder paid USD 1.6 million, plus a 15 per cent buyer's fee at the auction during a convention of the American Numismatic Association in Philadelphia, it said.
The 1873-CC No Arrows Liberty Seated dime was the keystone coin in the Battle Born Collection, which contained one of every coin minted in Carson City before the facility closed in 1893.
"It's not rare, it's not scarce - it's unique. And it's pretty much immaculate," said Brian Kendrella, director of operations at the Spectrum Group. He entered the winning bid on behalf of a private collector who sought to remain anonymous.
All 111 pieces were parcelled off last night, fetching a total of USD 9.98 million. PTI
DDC