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Dimes
Dimes are one of the oldest coins in the US. In 1792, the Coinage Act was established, which saw the founding of the National Mint in Philidelphia and the integration of cents, dimes, and quarters. The National Mint issued the first circulating coins in 1793.
Dimes have become a must-have for coin collectors, and Bullion Shark is proud to offer the highest quality Half Dimes, Draped Bust Dimes, Capped Bust Dimes, Seated Liberty Dimes, Barber Dimes, Mercury Dimes, and Roosevelt Dimes.
Half Dime
The Half Dime was minted in 1792, in circulation until 1793, and was worth the equivalent of five cents.
The Half Dime is widely considered the first coin ever struck under the coinage act of 1792. However, this isn't universally recognized as its unknown whether the coin was intended to be circulated or was an experimental measure.
It is speculated that only 2,000 to 3,500 of these coins were produced. The Half Dime was designed by the engraver Robert Birch, and it's obverse side featured Liberty facing left, while the verse side portrays a flying eagle.
Half Dimes have an estimated mintage of 1500-2000.
Draped Bust Dime
The Draped Bust Dime was designed by artist Gilbert Stuart and ran from 1796 until 1805.
When the Draped Bust Dime was introduced, it featured Liberty with flowing hair and 15 stars surrounding her. However, in 1797, 16-star coins were also produced, the additional star represented the newly added state of Tennessee. The Mint also began circulating 13-star varieties, as they realized they couldn't continue adding stars as new states joined the union.
Until 1797, the reverse side of the Draped Bust Dime featured a small eagle surrounded by a wreath. This changed in 1800 as the Heraldic Eagle design was introduced.
The mintage of the Draped Bust Dimes ranged from 22,135 to 27,550 in the first series. However, the mintage increased to 165,000 in its final year.
Capped Bust Dime
Between 1806 and 1828, dimes ceased to be produced. However, 1829 saw their return with the Capped Bust Dime. Chief Engraver William Kneass developed the design for the Capped Bust Dime and his design remained the same for the coin's entire run, which lasted until 1837.
The Capped Bust Dime's mintage ranged from 871,000 in its final year and 2,760,000 in 1835.
Seated Liberty Dime
The 1837-1891 Seated Liberty Dime was the last seated liberty coin to be produced. These dimes feature Liberty seated on a rock holding a shield on the obverse side and a wreath surrounding the words "One Dime" on the reserve side.
In 1838, a semicircle of 13 stars was added to the obverse side. The design was changed again in 1853 as small arrows were added to signify a reduction in silver. However, these arrows were dropped again in 1856, and in 1860 the semicircle of stars was replaced with an inscription reading "United States of America."
The seated liberty was designed by portraitist Christian Gobrecht. The mintage of Seated Liberty Half Dimes ranges from 6,000 to 13,210,020.
Barber Dime
The Barber Dime was designed by Charles Barber, who was the United States' chief engraver at the time. These coins were produced between 1892 and 1916 and consisted of 90% silver and 10% copper.
The Barber Dime depicts Liberty facing right, wearing a crown fashioned from an olive branch on the obverse side. The words "United States of America" also surround her head. The reverse of the coin features a wreath of corn and oak leaves surrounded by the words "One Dime."
The mintage of the Barber Dime ranges from 440,000 to 22,220,000.
Mercury Dime
The Mercury Dime is a ten-cent coin that was in circulation from 1916 until 1945.
Adolph Weinman designed the coin and chose to depict young Liberty wearing her Phrygian cap on the obverse side. The coin gained its name as many confused this depiction with the image of the Roman god Mercury. The reverse side features a fasces and an olive branch.
Mercury Dimes contain 0.07234 troy ounces of silver. The lowest mintage of Mercury Dimes occurred in 1916, with only 264,000 struck. While the highest mintage year was 1944, with 231,410,000 coins struck.
Roosevelt Dime
After the death of President Roosevelt in 1945, the Roosevelt Dime quickly replaced the Mercury Dime in 1946. The Roosevelt Dime is the current dime of the United States.
John R. Sinnock designed both sides of the coin, the obverse featuring a portrait of Franklin Roosevelt and the reverse side depicting a torch, an olive branch, and an oak branch.
The mintage of Roosevelt Dimes ranges from 12,450,181 to 2,244,007,320.
