1 Dime US From 1792 to Modern Times

The humble dime - it's a coin we often take for granted, but its history is rich and fascinating. The first dime was minted in 1792, with a copper composition and a value of 10 cents.

This early dime was a significant innovation, as it marked one of the first times the US government had issued a coin with a specific denomination. It's amazing to think that this small coin has been in circulation for over two centuries.

The design of the dime has undergone several changes over the years, with the most notable being the introduction of the Mercury dime in 1916. This coin featured a depiction of the Roman god of commerce, Mercury, on the obverse side.

One of the most interesting facts about the Mercury dime is that it was designed by Adolph A. Weinman, a renowned sculptor of the time. His design has become iconic and is still widely recognized today.

The Coinage Act of 1792 established the dime as one-tenth part of a silver unit or dollar, with a composition of 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper.

The first dimes minted for circulation were the Draped Bust dimes in 1796, featuring a portrait of Liberty on the obverse and a small bald eagle on the reverse. They were designed by Robert Scot and had 15 stars on the obverse, representing the number of U.S. states at the time.

The dime's composition was changed to 90% silver and 10% copper with the introduction of the Seated Liberty dime, but this was later removed with the passage of the Coinage Act of 1965, which replaced the dime's silver content with a clad metal composed of outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel alloy.

Here's a brief timeline of the dime's evolution:

The Coinage Act of 1792 authorized the mintage of a "disme", one-tenth the silver weight and value of a dollar.

The composition of the disme was set at 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper, making it a significant coin in the history of the US currency.

In 1792, a limited number of dismes were minted but never circulated, with some of these being struck in copper, indicating they were pattern coins.

The first dimes minted for circulation did not appear until 1796, due to a lack of demand for the coin and production problems at the United States Mint.

The Draped Bust dime series, which spanned from 1796 to 1807, was the first to be circulated. This design was the work of then-Chief Engraver Robert Scot.

The obverse featured a portrait of Liberty based on a Gilbert Stuart drawing of prominent Philadelphia socialite Ann Willing Bingham. The reverse design was of a small bald eagle surrounded by palm and olive branches, and perched on a cloud.

Draped Bust dimes were minted with no indication of their value, as the Coinage Act of 1792 only required the cent and half cent to display their denomination. All 1796 dimes have 15 stars on the obverse, representing the number of U.S. states then in the Union.

The first 1797 dimes were minted with 16 stars, reflecting Tennessee's admission as the 16th state. This design change was short-lived, as U.S. Mint Director Elias Boudinot ordered a change back to 13 stars, representing the original Thirteen Colonies.

The Heraldic Eagle reverse design made its debut in 1798, featuring a scaled-down version of the Great Seal of the United States. This design change was a significant improvement over the previous "scrawny" hatchling eagle.

Both Draped Bust designs were composed of 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper.

The Capped Bust design, which lasted from 1809 to 1837, was a significant milestone in the history of the 1 dime. It was designed by Mint Assistant Engraver John Reich.

Both the obverse and reverse of the coin were changed extensively, featuring a new reverse with a bald eagle grasping three arrows and an olive branch. The eagle's breast was covered by a U.S. shield with six horizontal lines and 13 vertical stripes.

The reverse also included the lettering "10C", making it the only dime minted with the value given in cents. This unique feature caused some confusion amongst foreign visitors who may not have been aware of the coin's value.

The Capped Bust dime was the first dime to have its value written on the coin, a feature that was previously unknown on dime designs. People determined the value of previous dimes by their size instead.

Capped Bust dimes minted through 1828 are known as the Large type, due to their broader appearance. They were struck without a restraining collar, giving them a wider look.

In 1828, the introduction of the close collar method of coining allowed the Mint to produce thicker coins. This method also standardized the diameter of coins and reduced the diameter of the dime from 18.8 to 18.5 millimeters.

There are 123 varieties known of Capped Bust Dimes.

The Seated Liberty design was introduced in 1837 and was the standard design for the 1 Dime until 1891. It was a popular design featuring Liberty seated on a rock, holding a torch and an olive branch.

The designer, Christian Gobrecht, was a German immigrant who became the Chief Engraver of the Mint in 1840. He designed the Seated Liberty dime, which was a significant departure from the earlier Capped Bust design.

The Seated Liberty dime was struck at the Philadelphia Mint from 1837 to 1891, with a total of 139,145,000 coins produced during this time. This design was also used in other denominations, such as the quarter and half dollar.

The Liberty depicted on the coin is a representation of the goddess of liberty, symbolizing freedom and democracy.

The design of the 1 dime US has a rich history. The obverse of the dime depicts President Roosevelt, with the inscriptions LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST.

The design was created by John Sinnock, with his initials JS found by the cutoff of the bust, to the left of the date. The reverse shows a torch in the center, representing liberty, flanked by an olive sprig representing peace, and one of oak symbolizing strength and independence.

The composition of the dime changed from 90% silver and 10% copper to a clad "sandwich" of pure copper inner layer between two outer layers of cupronickel (75% copper, 25% nickel) alloy in 1965. This change was made to give similar mass and electrical properties, and to eliminate the use of precious metal.

The Winged Liberty Head, also known as the "Mercury" dime, was a beautiful U.S. coin design produced from 1916 to 1945.

The design was created by sculptor Adolph A. Weinman, who won a competition against two other artists in 1915. He modeled his version of Liberty on Elsie Kachel Stevens, wife of poet Wallace Stevens.

The Winged Liberty Head dime was composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, with a diameter of 17.9 millimeters. This composition and diameter remained unchanged from the Barber dime.

The reverse design of the coin featured a fasces juxtaposed with an olive branch, symbolizing America's readiness for war combined with its desire for peace. The fasces was a common symbol in American iconography at the time, and it was not associated with the National Fascist Party in Italy until later.

The Winged Liberty Head dime is considered one of the most beautiful U.S. coin designs ever produced.

The design of the dime has undergone significant changes over the years. The first notable design change occurred with the introduction of the Winged Liberty Head, or "Mercury", dime in 1916.

This design, created by Adolph A. Weinman, features a depiction of the mythological goddess Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap with wings symbolizing freedom of thought. The composition of the dime remained unchanged from the Barber dime.

The reverse design of the Winged Liberty Head dime features a fasces juxtaposed with an olive branch, intended to symbolize America's readiness for war combined with its desire for peace. The fasces was a common symbol in American iconography at the time.

The design of the dime changed again with the introduction of the Roosevelt dime in 1946. The obverse of the coin depicts President Roosevelt, with the inscriptions LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. Sinnock's initials, JS, are found by the cutoff of the bust, to the left of the date.

The reverse of the Roosevelt dime shows a torch in the center, representing liberty, flanked by an olive sprig representing peace, and one of oak symbolizing strength and independence. The inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM stretches across the field.

Some numismatists have suggested that the image of Roosevelt on the coin is similar to a plaque depicting Roosevelt sculpted by African-American sculptor Selma Burke. However, the passage of time has made it impossible to verify or invalidate this assertion.

The composition of the dime changed from 90% silver and 10% copper to a clad "sandwich" of pure copper inner layer between two outer layers of cupronickel (75% copper, 25% nickel) alloy with the passage of the Coinage Act of 1965.

Other canceled denominations

In the production phase, the design is brought to life through various manufacturing techniques.

The company uses a combination of 3D printing and traditional machining to create the product's complex components.

This approach allows for rapid prototyping and testing, reducing the overall production time.

The product's materials are carefully selected to ensure durability and sustainability.

The production process involves a team of skilled engineers and technicians who work together to bring the design to life.

The company has implemented a lean manufacturing system, which has resulted in a 30% reduction in waste and a 25% increase in efficiency.

The production line is designed to be flexible, allowing for easy changes to the design or production process as needed.

The United States has been issuing standard circulation coins since 1776, and one of the most iconic coins is the dime. The dime is made from copper-nickel clad copper, which is 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel, and weighs 2.268 grams.

The dime has a diameter of 17.91 mm and a thickness of 1.35 mm, making it a small but significant coin. It's also worth noting that the dime has a round shape and is milled, giving it a smooth edge.

The United States has been issuing standard circulation coins since 1776, and the dime is one of the most widely circulated coins. The dime is made from silver, which is 90% pure, and weighs 2.5 grams.

Here are the key features of the dime:

The dime has a standard value of 10 cents, which is equivalent to 0.1 USD. It's a small but significant coin that plays a big role in the United States' monetary system.

Identifying the date and mintmark on a dime is crucial to its value and authenticity. The Philadelphia mint struck the first US dime in 1796, and for the next few decades, it was the only mint striking dimes.

The exact date of a dime is important to value accurately, as mintages of different dates vary greatly. Some years, dimes were produced in the millions, while the next year, production was lower, all depending on need in commerce.

Mintmarks were added to the design to identify the mint's production, creating the first mint-marked variety dime. The new branch mint in New Orleans was ready to add to the supply of dimes by 1838, and San Francisco struck dimes in 1856, adding an "S" mintmark.

Carson City in 1871 used a "CC" mintmark, and Denver began placing a "D" mintmark on its coinage in 1906. Each branch mint used a unique mintmark to indicate their production, making date and mintmark combination important to recognize.

Many branch mint coins are scarce due to low production, and value charts of each series reflect these scarce dimes.

Collecting dimes can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it's essential to understand the market demand and value of these coins. Few regular-issue Roosevelt dimes command a premium, but some errors and conditions can make them highly sought after.

The 1982 Philadelphia mint mark "P" error is one such example, with dimes selling for $50 to $75. Another rare error is the 1970, 1975, and 1983 proof dimes without the "S" mint mark, with one 1975 example selling at auction for $349,600.

If you're new to collecting dimes, it's crucial to understand the different types of coinage. The United States has produced various denominations, including the half cent, large cent, penny, two cents, three cents, half dime, nickel, dime, twenty cents, quarter, half dollar, and dollar.

The dime, in particular, has been produced in several series, including the Seated Liberty, Barber, and Roosevelt. Each series has its unique characteristics and values, making it essential to research and understand the specific series you're interested in.

To determine the value of your dime, you'll need to consider its condition. The grading condition of a dime is crucial in determining its value, with mint state, extremely fine, fine, and good being the main grades.

Here's a rough guide to the grading conditions:

The value of a dime can also be influenced by its special qualities, such as its 90% silver content. Dimes dated 1964 and earlier are worth more than their face value due to their silver content, with some examples trading at the bullion level.

Special qualities can significantly impact the value of your dime. These qualities include 90% silver content, making dimes dated 1964 and earlier worth over face value, currently starting at $1.96 each.

A scarce date and condition are also special qualities that increase values. In the Roosevelt series, Mint State grade is the major breakaway point from bullion quality.

Early era dimes are now scarce to the point few trade at bullion silver levels. The vast majority of old dimes are in less than Mint State condition, making an eye appeal quality necessary to stand above others.

Collector quality dimes have special qualities that raise demand and attract collectors. These qualities include a bold portrait, just touches of wear, and traces of luster behind the lettering.

Bullion quality dimes, on the other hand, lack the eye-catching quality needed to raise appeal to attract premium values. They visually compete with higher grade examples at affordable prices to collectors.