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Bust Dime

The Bust Dime, so called because it features a bust of LIBERTY on the obverse, or front, of the coin, was the first US dime produced for circulation.

It shares its design with other circulating coins of the time, including large cents, half dimes, quarters, half dollars, dollars, and gold coinage.

There are two types of Bust Dimes - Draped Bust and Capped Bust. Below you will find more information both, including varieties, composition and mintages.

Draped Bust Dime 1796-1807

The Draped Bust design matched other coins of the time with Liberty featured on the obverse (front) and an eagle on the back that was highly criticized because it looked "scrawny".

This variety is now known as the small eagle reverse (1796-1797).

The heraldic eagle reverse, patterned after the Great Seal of the United States, appeared in 1798 and was more widely accepted.

(click image for larger view)
**Draped Bust Dime 1796-1807**

Small Eagle	Heraldic Eagle

Type	Draped Bust
Designer	Robert Scot
Years Minted	Small Eagle - 1796-1797 Heraldic Eagle - 1798-1807
Weight	2.70 grams
Composition	.8924 silver, .1076 copper
Diameter	19 mm
Edge	reeded
Mints	Philadelphia - *no mint mark*
Mintage	Small Eagle 1796 - 22,135 1797 - 25,261 Heraldic Eagle 1798 - 27,550 1800 - 21,760 1801 - 34,640 1802 - 10,975 1803 - 33,040 1804 - 8,265 1805 - 120,780 1807 - 165,000

Capped Bust 1809-1837

This new design for the dime piece received a whole new look. The bald eagle is on the reverse holding three arrows for strength and an olive branch for peace.

This is the only time that a dime piece noted the denomination on the coin. Later coins would include the words "ONE DIME".

A U.S shield covers the eagle's breast and "10 C." rests near the bottom of the reverse.

In 1828 the diameter was slightly decreased and the coin was made thicker in order to contain the required amount of silver content.

This came about due to new technology that was put into practice........A restraining collar was used when striking the coins. This kept the coin from spreading as far and at the same time reeded the edge.

The process of placing reeds on the edge was previously done by hand, so this new procedure speeded up production time.

This new process also made the coins more uniform in size and easier to stack.

(click image for larger view)
**Capped Bust Dime 1809-1837**

Type	Capped Bust
Designer	John Reich
Years Minted	Large Type - 1809-1828 Small Type - 1828-1837
Weight	2.70 grams
Composition	.8924 silver, .1076 copper changed to .900 fine silver in 1837
Diameter	Large Type - 18.8 mm Small Type - 18.5 mm
Edge	reeded
Mints	Philadelphia - *no mint mark*
Mintage	Large Type 1809 - 50,065 1811 - 65,180 1814 - 421,500 1820 - 942,587 1821 - 1,186,512 1822 - 100,000 1823 - 440,000 1824-25 - 510,000 1827 - 1,215,000 1828 - 125,000 Small Type 1829 - 770,000 1830 - 510,000 1831 - 771,350 1832 - 522,500 1833 - 485,000 1834 - 635,000 1835 - 1,410,000 1836 - 1,190,000 1837 - 359,500

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