Draped Bust Dime 1796—1807

The Draped Bust Dime is a coin that was minted by the United States from 1796 to 1807. It is known for its distinctive design featuring the portrait of Liberty on the obverse (front) and an eagle on the reverse (back). Here's a brief history of the Draped Bust Dime:

The Draped Bust Dime was first introduced in 1796, replacing the previous design known as the Flowing Hair Dime, which was only minted in 1794 and 1795.

The obverse of the Draped Bust Dime features a right-facing portrait of Liberty, with her hair cascading down her shoulder and a small cap on her head. The word "LIBERTY" appears above her portrait, and the year of mintage is located below. The reverse of the coin depicts an eagle with outstretched wings, clutching an olive branch and arrows in its talons. The eagle is surrounded by a wreath, and the inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the denomination "10 C." are present.

There are two major design variations within the Draped Bust Dime series. The first type, minted from 1796 to 1797, features small eagle reverse. The second type, minted from 1798 to 1807, features a heraldic eagle reverse with a larger and more detailed depiction of the national bird.

The Draped Bust Dime is considered a scarce coin, particularly the earlier years of its production. Low mintages, wear and tear over time, and the tendency for these coins to be used in circulation all contribute to their rarity and desirability among collectors.

The Draped Bust Dime was minted during a crucial period in American history. It witnessed the early years of the United States as it established its monetary system and developed its own coinage. The coin reflects the artistic and aesthetic choices of its time, showcasing the neoclassical style that was popular during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Draped Bust Dime series paved the way for the later dime designs, such as the Capped Bust, Seated Liberty, and Barber dimes. These subsequent designs built upon the foundation set by the Draped Bust Dime and continued to evolve as the United States coinage progressed.

Today, the Draped Bust Dime is highly sought after by coin collectors and numismatists due to its historical significance, rarity, and artistic appeal. Its age, limited mintage, and iconic design make it a valuable and fascinating piece of American numismatic history.

 

Key Dates

1796: The inaugural year for the Draped Bust Dime, making all coins from this year highly sought after. Only around 6,000 dimes were minted in 1796, making it a scarce and valuable date.

1797: Both the 1797 "Small Eagle" and 1797 "Large Eagle" varieties are considered key dates. The Small Eagle variety has a small eagle on the reverse, while the Large Eagle variety features a larger, more detailed eagle. Both are scarce, but the Small Eagle is rarer.

1804: The 1804 Draped Bust Dime is a highly coveted date due to its limited mintage. It is one of the rarest dates in the series, with only a few dozen known to exist.

1805: The 1805 Draped Bust Dime is another scarce date, with a low mintage contributing to its rarity. It is often sought after by collectors.

1807: The 1807 Draped Bust Dime is the final year of the series and marks the end of the Draped Bust design. It has a relatively low mintage, making it a desirable date for collectors.