Coin Specifications

The first dimes of the United States were not minted until 1796. This was already four years after the Coinage Act of 1792, which established the specifications for the denomination. The early mint had already produced other denominations with the flowing hair design, but by the time production of dimes began the draped bust design had already come into use.

The Draped Bust Dime features an obverse portrait of Liberty with her bust slightly draped and hair flowing and lightly bound. There is the inscription “Liberty” above and the date below, with stars to each side. The number of stars varied in the early years of the series, as the Mint added more to represent newly admitted states. In 1797, the number of stars reverted to thirteen and remained as such for the duration of the series.

The reverse design for the series initially featured a small eagle positioned within a wreath. In 1798, this was replaced with a heraldic eagle, pictured with a shield at its chest and arrows and an olive branch in talons. The only reverse inscription was “United States of America”. The denomination did not appear anywhere on the coin, leaving the value to be determined based on weight or comparison to other coins.

As with other early silver coinage of the United States, the composition was 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper. The weight was 2.70 grams, or twice the wight of the previously released half dime.

Draped Bust Dime Coin Specifications

dimes draped bust