US Dimes

Last Updated: Jul 23, 2023

Dimes were introduced in the coinage system of the US as a result of the Coinage Act of 1792, and these were the coins representing ten cents or the tenth part of the dollar. A decimal-based coinage system was introduced in 1783; in 1791, six currencies were proposed. Among these six coins, one-tenth part of the dollar was also presented that was supposed to be a silver coin.

Dime is the smallest and the thinnest of all the US coins, and the recent dimes, also known as Roosevelt Dimes, have a picture of President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the obverse. The reverse has a couple of things carved depicting the personality and culture of the country.

History and Types of Dimes

After the "disme" was introduced as a result of the Mint Act 1792, six other designs of the dimes came and went afterward. The designs of dimes introduced from time to time are given below;

Barber Dimes

If you're a coin collector, there's a good chance that you're familiar with US Barber dimes. Named after their designer, Charles Barber, these coins were minted from 1892 to 1916 and are highly coveted by collectors. Barber dimes are unique in that they feature the head of Liberty on the obverse side and a wreath on the reverse side. They also have a relatively low mintage compared to other US coins, which makes them quite valuable. If you're lucky enough to find one of these coins, it's definitely worth hanging onto!

Capped Bust Dimes

To symbolize strength, a bald eagle with three arrows and to symbolize peace, an olive branch is engraved in the reverse of these dimes.

Seated Liberty Dimes

Seated Liberty dimes have a Liberty sitting on the coin's obverse, wearing a dress and holding a staff with a liberty cap. The reverse of this dime is engraved with the words "one dime".

Roosevelt Dimes

Roosevelt dimes are the ones currently circulated and depict the portrait of Roosevelt of the obverse, while the reverse has an olive branch, a torch, and an oak branch to symbolize Liberty, peace, and strength of the country.

Mercury Dimes

These dimes, also known as "winged liberty head dimes", have a mythological goddess known as Liberty on the obverse wearing a cap and depicting classic western freedom and freedom of thoughts with the wings. To symbolize peace and war-ready factor for America, the reverse has fasces with an olive branch.

Draped Bust Dimes

A similar design on both head and tails of these dimes was a small eagle, also known as Draped Bust as the name of the coin represents. As these dimes were minted, no particular value was indicated for them.