Our ten-cent piece, the dime, was first authorized in 1792, the year that the U.S. adopted the decimal system of coinage, and in 1796 production began.  The word “dime” was derived from the old French word “disme,” meaning “tenth part” or “tithe.”

The dime’s composition consisted of 89.24 percent silver and 10.76 percent copper until 1837, when it was changed to 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.  It remained this way until 1964; at this point the silver was removed and replaced with cupronickel.

Draped Bust Dime  (1796–1807)

The Draped Bust was the first dime, and it contained no markings indicating its value.  Early dimes were not regularly minted, and the Draped Bust was not minted in the years 1799 and 1806.  The design that was used on the obverse (after some delay and debate) was created by Robert Scot, an amateur Mint engraver.  His image of Lady Liberty looked more feminine than previous portrayals – she also has flowing hair and is “draped.”  On some there were 16 stars (representing the 13 original colonies and Vermont, Tennessee and Kentucky), but the Mint had to switch to 13 stars in 1797.  The reverse has the image of an eagle surrounded by a wreath of vines.

Capped Bust Dime (1809–1837)

The dime had no value markings until 1809 when the Capped Bust dime was issued; this one bore a “10 C” marking on the reverse.  This dime was minted only during the years 1809, 1811, 1814, and 1820.  Dimes have been more regularly minted since 1827, though they have had very limited mintage during some years.

Seated Liberty Dime (1837–1891)

The Seated Liberty design had debuted on the dollar coin in 1836, and in 1837 it was incorporated into the dime.  This design lasted for a long 54 years, until the Barber dime was introduced in 1892. 

Barber Dime (1892–1916)

This design was issued until 1916, and one of its series is particularly notable for collectors – the “1894-S.”  There are only 24 1894-S dimes that are known to have been made, and only nine known of in existence today.  One of these sold for $1.3 million in a 2005 auction!

Winged Liberty Head or “Mercury Dime” (1916–1945)

This is actually my favorite coin, ever since my dad gave me one of his when I was a young girl just starting out in coin collecting, and apparently I’m not the only one who finds it so appealing, it is a popular among collectors and thought to be one of the most attractive coins around.  The designer was a German immigrant and student of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, whose traits of Romanticism were evident in the engraving.  The obverse design is a depiction of Lady Liberty, but many people thought it was the Roman god Mercury, hence its nickname.  The wings that are crowning her cap were meant to represent liberty of thought.

Roosevelt Dime (1946–present)

This dime was created to honor President Roosevelt and was decided upon because of his notable founding of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, AKA the March of Dimes.  It was in this year that the silver was removed and replaced with 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel, it has a copper core surrounded by nickel.  This design is still in circulation today.

Related posts:

1. The History of the Quarter
2. The Nickel Coin
3. Pennies: The Beginning of Official American Coinage
4. Finding a Silver Dollar Price
5. Coins: Change over the Ages

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