Dimes
The 10 cent coin, or dime, follows closely the designs of the half dime through the Liberty Seated Type. Until 1964, when production of circulating silver coinage was ceased, all circulating dimes were minted in fine silver. Dimes in higher grades are scarce and expensive, since the dime was used extensively (compared to quarters and halves). But many early dimes are still available in circulated condition at a more reasonable cost. The Dime has 6 different styles since its first mintage in 1796.
Articles about Dimes
1. Draped Bust (1796 - 1807)
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The first dime to be circulated was the Draped Bust Dime, in 1796. It featured the same obverse and reverse as the other circulating coins of that time, with the same Draped Bust and small eagle design. Robert Scot created the design. The Draped Bust dime was minted with no indication of their value.
All 1796 dimes have 15 stars on the obverse, representing the number of U.S. states in the Union. The first 1797 dimes were minted with 16 stars, reflecting Tennessee's admission. Realizing that the practice of adding a star each time a new state was added could quickly clutter the coin's design. Elias Boudinot (U.S. Mint Director) ordered a design alteration, to feature just 13 starts (for the original 13 colonies). Therefore, 1797 dimes can be found with either 13 or 16 stars! |
2. Capped Bust (1809 - 1837)
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John Reich designed this capped - head concept of Liberty, and it was modified by Chief Engraver of the Mint, William Kneass. It was a very popular design at the time and lasted from 1807 to 1839 on the half dollar, 1815 to 1838 on the quarter, 1809 to 1837 on the dime, and 1829 - 1837 on the half dime. All of these capped bust coins were struck in 89.2% silver and 10.2% copper!
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3. Liberty Seated (1837 - 1891)
The obverse of the Liberty Seated Dime was used with every circulating silver U.S. coin of the period (way to keep it interesting!). The obverse features an image of Liberty sitting on a rock, wearing a dress and holding a staff with a liberty cap on top. Her right is balancing a shield with the inscription "LIBERTY". The reverse features the inscription "ONE DIME". With of course, a wreath surrounding it. There were a few minor varieties during the seated Liberty run. The initial design (1837) had no stars on the obverse and, further, the dates were minted in a large date and small date variety.
4. Barber (1892 - 1916)
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Why are they called Barber dimes if it is again, Lady Liberty? The dime was nicknamed "Barber Dimes" because the designer, Charles E Barber, who was Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint from 1879 to 1917. The design was shared with the quarter and half dollar around the same period.
The dime features lady Liberty on the obverse with a wreath surrounding "ONE DIME" on the reverse. |
5. Mercury (1916 - 1945)
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The proper name for this dime is the Winged Liberty head Dime. The most common name this coin is referred to is the Mercury Dime. This coin does not depict the Roman messenger god. The obverse figure is a depiction of the mythological goddess Liberty wearing a Phrygian Cap, a classic western symbol of liberty and freedom, with its wings intended to symbolize freedom of thought. The reverse design, a fasces juxtaposed with an olive branch, was intended to symbolize America's readiness for war, combined with its desire for peace. (Yeah... designed right before WWI) The coin value is the same as the other dimes with 89.8% silver and 10.2% copper. The dime was the same size as its predecessor, the Barber dime.
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6. Roosevelt (1946 - Present)
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Franklin D Roosevelt died in 1945. The legislation was introduced by Virginia congressman R. Daughton that called for the replacement of the Mercury dime with one bearing Roosevelt's image. The dime was chosen to honor Roosevelt partly due to his efforts in the founding of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (later renamed the March of Dimes), which originally raised money for Polio research and to aid victims of the disease and their families.
The Roosevelt Dime was made of silver content like the previous dimes until 1965. The coinage Act of 1965 called for the composition of the dime to change from 89.8% silver and 10.2% copper to a clad "sandwich" of pure copper inner layer between two outer layers of cupronickel (75% copper, 25% nickel) alloy giving a total composition of 91.67% Copper and 8.33% Nickel. This composition was selected because it gave similiar mass (2.268 grams instead of 2.5 grams). Collector fact: Since 1946 the Roosevelt dime has been minted every year. Through 1955, all three mints (Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco) produced circulating coinage; production at San Francisco ended in 1955, resuming in 1968 with proof coinage only. |
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