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The dime, in United States usage, is a ten-cent coin (10¢), one tenth of a United States dollar, labelled formally as "one dime". The word dime comes from the Old French disme (now dîme), meaning "tithe" or "tenth part", from the Latin decima [pars]. In the past prices have occasionally been quoted on signage and other materials in terms of dimes, abbreviated as "d" or a lowercase "d" with a slash through it (đ) as with the cent and mill signs. After the half dime became five cents in 1873, the dime is now the only United States coin in general circulation that is not denominated in terms of dollars or cents. After the initial issue of the "Draped Bust" type (1796 - 1807), a second Capped Bust obverse was used until 1837. In 1837, the type was replaced by the Seated Liberty type, and composition was changed to 90% silver and 10% copper. The diameter was slightly increased to 17.9 mm. The weight was 2.67 grams initially, then was reduced to 2.49 grams in 1853, then slightly increased to 2.5 grams in 1873. The changes were marked by having arrow heads on both sides of the date for a couple of years. The Seated Liberty portrait designs appeared on most regular-issue silver United States coinage from 1836 through 1891. The denominations which feature the Goddess of Liberty in a Seated Liberty design include the half dime, the dime, the quarter, the half dollar, and until 1873 the silver dollar, as well as the short-lived twenty cent piece. The obverse shows Liberty seated on a rock, holding a pole with a Liberty cap on it and supporting a shield. On the reverse, the denomination is spelled as ONE DIME, unlike on earlier types. In 1892, the type was replaced by the Liberty Head design (known as the Barber Dime). In later years, there were also changes in size and composition (the dime is now smaller and made of copper-nickel), but these coins have never been demonetised and are still legal tender. This, of course, is of academic interest only, as their numismatic value is enormously higher than their face value. | |||||||||
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The Definitive Guide to Australian Silver Coins |
Variety | Small Stars (Philadelphia Mint) | |
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Mintage | Issued: unknown (included in total) | |
Details | The stars were added to the obverse manually, and on some of the dies mint workers put stars made for the half dimes instead of those made for the dimes; these are obviously smaller, and consequently are also more widely spaced. | |
Variety | Partial Drapery (Philadelphia Mint) | |
Mintage | Issued: unknown (included in total) | |
Details | PCGS explains the variety like this: "The term "Partial Drapery" as applied to 1838 Dimes is a misnomer. In actuality, there is no drapery whatsoever under Liberty's left elbow (viewer's right). It was not until 1840 that drapery was added to the front of the Dimes, so there is no such thing as drapery that was once there but which was subsequently polished out of the dies. Instead, what one sees is a clash mark from a portion of the E of DIME from the reverse. This clash mark (or "partial drapery") is seen on only two die varieties of the year: Fortin-108a and Fortin-109." | |
Variety | Proof (Philadelphia Mint) | |
Mintage | Issued: unknown. Rarity: R7 (Highest rarity possible, 3 or less examples known) | |
Details | Not listed in catalogues. Graded by NGC as PR67CAM. Probably unique. |
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The Definitive Guide to Australian Silver Coins |
Country | United States |
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Currency | US Dollar |
Coin Type | One Dime, Seated Liberty |
Issued | 1838 |
Symbol | Liberty, Seated |
Face Value | 10 (x Cent) |
Circulation Mintage | 2,398,534 (2.4 million) |
Total Mintage | 2,398,534 (2.4 million) |
Current | No |
Material | 0.900 Silver |
Designer | Christian Gobrecht |
Technology | Milled (machine-made) |
Shape | Round |
Orientation | Coin Alignment (Axis 6) |
Size | 17.9000 mm |
Mass | 2.6700 g |
OCC ID | LBRP-ERRC-PNGW-EMNY |
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Buy gold and silver bullion online! |
Image | Details |
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Liberty Seated Dime 1838 Large Stars
Copyright: PCGS Source |
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Liberty Seated Dime 1838 Large Stars
Copyright: PCGS Notes: Large stars. Source |
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Coin, United States, Seated Liberty Dime 1838
Copyright: NumisCorner.com Notes: O mint mark. Source |
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Coin, United States, Seated Liberty Dime 1838
Copyright: NumisCorner.com Notes: No stars. Source |
Source | Reference ID |
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Krause, Standard Catalog of World Coins | United States KM# 61 (No Stars, New Orleans Mint) |
Krause, Standard Catalog of World Coins | United States KM# 63.1 (Stars, Philadelphia Mint) |