Dimes

Half Dimes

Although cents were the first coins released to the public in 1793, first coin produced was the half-dime, in 1792. Little information exists to this day about its origins and, consequently, its status as a regular issue has come under speculation. Because of this controversy, many consider it a pattern.

Half Dime Production:

Flowing Hair Half Dime
Draped Bust Half Dime
Capped Bust Half Dime
Liberty Seated Half Dime

Brief History of the Half Dime

All share the common theme of a Liberty on the Obverse and an Eagle on the Reverse

In 1805, half-dime coinage was suspended for over two decades resuming in 1829 with the introduction of the Capped Bust series. The series ran until 1837, in which year the Seated Liberty half-dime was first issued. In the 1860s, silver shortages and strong nickel interests forced the creation of a new five-cent piece fashioned out of a nickel alloy. As a result, the half-dime was redundant was discontinued in 1873.

Dimes

The dime, whose value is equal to one tenth of one dollar, was first produced by the US Mint in 1796. The original dime carried an obverse design depicting a Liberty bust, which was modeled after a Philadelphia socialite, and a reverse design depicting an eagle.

Draped Bust Dime
Capped Bust Dime
Liberty Seated Dime
Barber Dime
Mercury Dime
Rosevelt Dime

Brief History of the Dime

The design was changed in 1809 to show a capped Liberty bust on the obverse. In 1916, the mint began production of the Mercury dime, whose name is derived from the resemblance of the Liberty figure shown on the obverse to the Roman god, Mercury. Since first introduced, Mercury dimes have become very popular as collectors’ items. The last design employed on dime coins, and still in use today, was first introduced in 1946 following the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt the year prior. The coin was released on what would have been Roosevelt’s 64th birthday. Its obverse design featured a profile of Roosevelt on the obverse and a pastiche of an olive branch, torch, and oak branch on the reverse. Following the passage of the Coinage Act of 1965, the composition of the dime was changed from 90% silver and 10% copper to 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel. As a result, individuals began hoarding the old silver dimes.

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Dimes coins