Dime History & Collecting Guide

Overview

The dime, representing one-tenth of a dollar, was among the original denominations authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792. Throughout its history, the dime has featured some of America's most beloved and artistic designs, from the elegant Draped Bust to the iconic Mercury (Winged Liberty) to the modern Roosevelt portrait.

Specifications:

• Denomination: 10 cents
• Years Minted: 1796-present
• Composition (1796-1964): 90% silver, 10% copper
• Composition (1965-present): Copper-nickel clad (outer layers of 75% copper, 25% nickel; pure copper core)
• Weight: 2.5 grams (1796-1853), 2.49 grams (1853-1873), 2.5 grams (1873-present)
• Diameter: 17.9mm (1796-1828), 18.8mm (1828-1837), 17.9mm (1837-present)

Design Types

Draped Bust Dime, Small Eagle (1796-1797)

The first dimes featured Robert Scot's Draped Bust design with a Small Eagle reverse. These extremely rare coins represent the earliest American dimes, with only two years of production before the reverse was changed. High-grade examples are extremely valuable, and even problem coins command strong prices due to their historical importance.

Draped Bust Dime, Heraldic Eagle (1798-1807)

The Heraldic Eagle reverse, showing a more substantial eagle with shield, was used from 1798 to 1807. These dimes are more available than the Small Eagle type but still represent significant investments. The 1804 14 Stars and 13 Stars varieties are particularly interesting to specialists.

Capped Bust Dime (1809-1837)

John Reich's Capped Bust design appeared on dimes from 1809 to 1837, with a break in production from 1816 to 1820. Two subtypes exist:

• Large Size (1809-1828): Larger diameter (18.8mm) with the denomination shown as "10 C." on the reverse
• Reduced Size (1828-1837): Smaller diameter (17.9mm) matching modern dimes, with "10 C." denomination

The 1822 is a legendary rarity with possibly only 2-3 genuine examples known. Other key dates include the 1809 and various dates from the 1820s.

Seated Liberty Dime (1837-1891)

Christian Gobrecht's Seated Liberty design graced dimes for over 50 years, making it one of the longest-running types in U.S. coinage. The design evolved through several variations:

• No Stars (1837-1838): Clean design with no stars on obverse
• Stars on Obverse (1838-1860): 13 stars added surrounding Liberty
• Legend on Obverse (1860-1891): "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" replaced stars
• Arrows at Date (1853-1855, 1873-1874): Indicated weight reductions

Seated Liberty Dimes were produced at multiple mints including Philadelphia, New Orleans (O), San Francisco (S), and Carson City (CC). Carson City issues are particularly prized, with the 1871-CC, 1872-CC, and 1874-CC being notable rarities.

Barber Dime (1892-1916)

Charles E. Barber's design, featuring Liberty wearing a laurel wreath and Phrygian cap, appeared on dimes, quarters, and half dollars simultaneously. While considered conservative compared to earlier designs, Barber Dimes are popular with collectors for their classic appearance and historical period.

Key dates include the 1894-S (only 24 minted, among the most famous rarities in American numismatics), 1895-O, 1901-S, and various San Francisco mint issues from the early 1900s. The series offers both challenges for completists and affordable options for type collectors.

Mercury Dime / Winged Liberty Head (1916-1945)

Adolph A. Weinman's Winged Liberty Head design, popularly called the "Mercury Dime," is considered one of the most beautiful American coins. Liberty wears a winged cap symbolizing freedom of thought, though it's often mistaken for the Roman god Mercury.

The reverse features a fasces (symbolizing unity) with an olive branch (peace). This design is beloved by collectors for its artistic merit and connection to important periods in American history, including both World Wars and the Great Depression.

Key dates and varieties:

• 1916-D: The holy grail of Mercury Dimes, with only 264,000 minted
• 1921 and 1921-D: Low mintages make these scarce
• 1942/1 Overdate: Both Philadelphia and Denver produced overdates
• Full Bands designation: Coins with fully split horizontal bands on the fasces command premium prices

Roosevelt Dime (1946-present)

Following President Franklin D. Roosevelt's death in 1945, the dime was redesigned to honor him, particularly fitting given his association with the March of Dimes polio charity. John R. Sinnock designed the portrait, with a torch, olive branch, and oak branch on the reverse.

Roosevelt Dimes were struck in 90% silver from 1946 to 1964, then transitioned to copper-nickel clad composition in 1965. This change marks one of the most significant events in modern U.S. coinage—the end of silver in circulating coins.

Modern collecting focuses:

• Silver era (1946-1964): Still affordable in most grades, sought after for precious metal content
• Proof sets: Special collector versions with mirror-like surfaces
• Varieties: 1982 No P (Philadelphia coins normally lack mint marks, but this was an error omission), 1996-W (West Point mint mark, included in mint sets)
• Full Torch designation: Premium paid for coins with complete horizontal and vertical torch lines

The 1964-1965 Transition: End of Silver

The transition from silver to clad coinage in 1965 represents a watershed moment in American monetary history. Rising silver prices in the early 1960s made the metal value of coins approach or exceed their face value, leading to widespread hoarding and coin shortages.

Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1965, eliminating silver from dimes and quarters (half dollars retained 40% silver until 1971). The last silver dimes for circulation were dated 1964, though special 90% silver versions continued for collectors.

Collecting note: 1964 dimes were produced in massive quantities as the mint tried to meet demand before the transition. Despite high mintages, they're actively collected for their silver content and historical significance.

Collecting Dimes

Type Set Collecting

A dime type set showcases the evolution of American coinage design:

1. Draped Bust, Small Eagle (1796-1797) - Most expensive, very rare
2. Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle (1798-1807) - Scarce early type
3. Capped Bust, Large Size (1809-1828) - Challenging but obtainable
4. Capped Bust, Small Size (1828-1837) - More available
5. Seated Liberty (various subtypes) - Multiple varieties to choose from
6. Barber (1892-1916) - Affordable in lower grades
7. Mercury/Winged Liberty (1916-1945) - Popular and attractive
8. Roosevelt, Silver (1946-1964) - Very affordable
9. Roosevelt, Clad (1965-present) - Face value in circulated grades

Complete Date and Mint Mark Sets

Building complete sets varies in difficulty by series:

• Early dimes (1796-1837): Extremely challenging and expensive
• Seated Liberty: Difficult but achievable with patience; Carson City issues are scarce
• Barber: The 1894-S is nearly impossible; otherwise manageable with key date challenges
• Mercury: Very popular; 1916-D is the key; most dates affordable
• Roosevelt: Highly collectible; complete sets are achievable

Registry Sets and Competition

Major grading services offer registry set competitions where collectors compete for the highest-graded complete sets. This has driven demand for high-grade examples, particularly of common dates in "superb gem" condition.