By Chuck Haviland

The dime is 1/10^th of a dollar (10 cents).   Although it sounds simple the dime up to the mid-1800’s holds a surprise. The dime was first minted from 1796 – 1797 utilizing  the Draped Bust with the small eagle design (and the Draped bust with the heraldic eagle being minted from 1798 – 1807) much the same as the dollar’s design.  The dimes composition was approximately 90 % silver also the same as other coinage of this era. The capped bust design was utilized from 1809 – 1837.  As with the other coinage the Seated Liberty design was used  from 1837 – 1891.

Half dimes (aka, dime) were created from 1794 – 1873 utilizing the same designs as the dime, only half of the weight.  In 1837 – 1838 the Seated Liberty (Figure 1.) utilized a slimmer gown than the regular seated liberty did (Figure 2). This variety was used between 1853 – 1855. All other seated liberty’s used s flowing gown.

The chief engraver of the time was Charles E. Barber, he designed the dime, quarter, & half-dollar, utilizing similar features for each, just properly altering their weight.  The barber dime (Figure 3) was minted from 1892 – 1916.  From 1916 – 1945 Lady Liberty took on a new form with wings crowning her cap (Figure 4).  These were intended to represent “liberty of thought”.  Its composition was still 90 % silver.

In 1946 the dime was redesigned to recognize Franklin D. Roosevelt (Figure 5). Its composition and size remained the same as before. In 1964 the composition of the all silver coins changed their composition from 90 % silver to a copper based nickel clad coin. In 1992 – 1998 silver proof coins were made in addition to the clad covered coins.

The approximate melt value of the Morgan or Pease dollars is $16.90 when silver bullion prices are at $22.00/ounce.  The Kennedy half dollars from 1965- 1970 are worth $3.23 each and the 1964 Kennedy half-dollar is valued at $7.80 each coin.  In 1965 the treasury department changed all silver coins to clad coins generally 75% copper and 25% nickel.

In 1992 – 1998 proof sets were made utilizing the silver dime.