United Stated Dimes or Ten-Cents

(1796 - Date)

The designs of the dimes, first coined in 1796, follow closely those of the half dimes up through the Liberty Seated type.  The dimes in each instance weigh twice as much as the half dime. See my  Photo Guide - Half Dime /Disme

Draped Bust (1796 - 1807)

Just as you will see in all of the other denominations of the Draped Bust series, there are 2 reverse variations.  The Small Eagle Reverse (pictured above) was used on coinage dated 1796 to 1797.  And the Second variety, the Heraldic Eagle Reverse pieces date 1798 - 1807.

Capped Bust (1809 - 1837)

Any confusion as to the value of this denomination ceased in 1809, when "10 C" was added to the base of the reverse.  The new design showed Liberty facing left, with a Liberty cap on her head.  On the back of the coin, the eagle struck a more natural pose, but still bore a shield on its breast.  Production of this type was sporadic in the early years, but from 1820 to 1837 (when the design ended) every year is represented.

Liberty Seated (1837 - 1891)

In 1860 the Legend was moved to the Obverse, like the piece pictured above.  Previously there were stars around the edge and the Legend was on the reverse. 

From 1853 to 1855 and again from 1873 to 1874, arrowheads were placed on either side of the date to indicatechanged in the weight of the coins.  This design change is present on the half-dime, dime, quarter-dollar, and half-dollar.

Barber  (1892 - 1916)

Designed by Charles E. Barber, chief engraver of the Mint, who also designed the twenty-five and fifty-cent pieces.  His initial B is at the truncation of the neck.  This type boast one of the classic American rarities, the 1894-S Dime.

Mercury Head (1916 - 1945)

The head is actually a depiction of Liberty wearing a cap with small wings at the ears, evocative of the god Mercury.  The reverse features a fasces (a battle ax surrounded by a bundle of staffs)... a design element later made infamous by the Fascists of Italy.  Another popular rarity the 1916-D is the Key-date of this series.

Roosevelt (1946 - Date)

In 1946, the U.S. memorialized President Franklin Delano Roosevelt by creating a Dime in his honor, a design that has remained until today.  1964 was the last year in which 90% silver Dimes were produced.  Starting in 1965, the modern practice of minting coinage in "Clad" began.  Clad a composition of outer layers of copper-nickel bonded to an inner core of pure copper. 

Look for my Identification Photo Guides on other United States coin denominations.  Sofar I have written guides on Half-cents, Large Cents, Small Cents, 2,3&20 Cent, Half-Dimes, and Nickels.  I will be working on more guides in the near future.  Have fun and enjoy the hobby of coin collecting.