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Dimes - Littleton Coin Company

U.S. Dimes

Draped Bust Dimes, 1796-1807

Though it may be small in size, America's dime goes back
more than 200 years in history, to the early years of our
country. First struck in 1796, the original dime design –
like other silver coins of the era – bore the Draped Bust
design. The obverse depicts a bust of Liberty, her hair tied
with a ribbon. For the series' first two years, the reverse
showed an eagle perched within a wreath. In 1798, the
reverse design was changed to feature the Heraldic Eagle.
This design was struck through 1807 – no dimes were
issued in 1808.

Capped Bust Dimes, 1809-1837

Then in 1809, the Capped Bust dime was released. America's first two dime designs –
the Draped Bust, above, and Capped
Though the obverse was similar to that of the earlier
Bust – feature portraits of Liberty.
design, Liberty's head now sported a cloth cap. The eagle
on the dime's reverse also changed with this new design,
now appearing perched on a branch with arrows clutched
in its talons. Though this design was issued through 1837,
it was not struck every year until 1827.

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Liberty Seated Dimes, 1837-1891

First issued in the same year as the final Capped Bust
dimes, the Liberty Seated coinage marked a departure
from the classic close-up portraiture. This new, more
modern design featured a full-length depiction of Liberty.
Seated on a rock, she holds a pole in her left hand with a
cap on the end. Her right hand supports a shield. On the
reverse, the traditional eagle was replaced by an open
wreath surrounding the denomination. In 1837 and early
1838, no stars appeared in the obverse design – beginning
in 1838 through 1860, 13 stars were added surrounding
Liberty. And while the design was modified several more
times before it was discontinued, the Liberty Seated
coinage continued until 1891.

Barber Dimes, 1892-1916

During the last year of the Liberty Seated dime, the
Treasury Department began a search for new coin
The Liberty Seated dime, above, and
Charles Barber's Liberty Head dime. designs. As a result, in 1892 Charles Barber's Liberty Head
Both bear the same reverse design. design debuted on the dime – as well as the quarter and
half dollar. Better known as the Barber dime, the obverse
features Liberty's profile, wearing a cap and laurel wreath
on her head. The reverse was continued from the previous
design – a wreath surrounding the statement of value.

See our Barber dime inventory

Mercury Dimes, 1916-1945

Adolph A. Weinman's highly acclaimed "Mercury" design
replaced the Barber dime partway through 1916. Elsie
Stevens – wife of poet Wallace Stevens – was used as
Weinman's model. His design once again featured the
head of Liberty, this time in a winged cap to symbolize
freedom of thought. However, following the coin's debut, The Mercury dime depicts Liberty
wearing a winged cap to signify
the public mistook Liberty for the Roman god Mercury. To
freedom of thought
this day, the coin is best known by that nickname. The
reverse also changed, featuring a fasces (bundle of sticks)
with an axe blade, and an olive branch in the background.
The beloved Mercury dime continued until 1945. That
same year marked the passing of President Franklin D.
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Roosevelt – which prompted another change to America's

dime.

See our Mercury dime inventory

Roosevelt Dimes, 1946-Date

In 1946, the year following Roosevelt's passing, a dime
design debuted in his honor. Depicting the profile of
America's 32nd president, this tribute was exceptionally
President Franklin D. Roosevelt is fitting because of his longstanding association with the
honored on the longest running dime
March of Dimes. The reverse shows a torch flanked by
design in U.S. history.
branches, with the denomination below and united states
of america above. This design continues today, and is the
longest running dime design in U.S. history.

See our Roosevelt dime inventory

Read more...

The Roosevelt Dime: Going Like Sixty - by Ed Reiter

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