Bust and Seated Liberty Dimes (1796 - 1891)
The first dime introduced for circulation was the Draped Bust Dime with Small Eagle Reverse in
1796. The design of Early Bust Dimes coincides with the Bust Half Dimes. The 1796 Draped Bust features 13 obverse stars, while the 1797 dimes have 13 or 16
obverse stars. Just like the half dimes, early dimes have no denomination present on the reverse until 1809, when the denomination first appeared on the Capped
Bust design. The Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle dimes are usually found in low grades; high grades early dimes are rare. The Seated Liberty
Dime closely parallels the half dime of the same period and has almost the same varieties. High-grade and certified Seated Liberty dimes as well as
Carson City minted dimes are among the most popular for coin collectors.
The Executive Coin Company is one of the top coin dealers in United States who offers a wide variety of Bust and Seated Liberty Dimes in
different grades and condition. Our selection includes early date dimes like the 1805 Draped Bust dime and other early 1800s dimes in high grades. We also offer
dimes in different varieties like the No Stars Liberty Seated dime and Seated dimes With Stars, as well as dimes with No Drapery, Arrows at Date, Obverse Stars
and Legend on the obverse. All coins we display are expertly photographed with great care and accuracy to help you make the best choice for your unique
collection! Check out our online selection below.
For more historical information on Bust Dimes and Seated Liberty Dimes, click below on (More).
Robert Scot's Draped Bust design appeared in 1796 on dimes, a type that had a Small Eagle Reverse for 1796-1797 and a Heraldic Eagle Reverse for
1798-1807. Examples of Draped Bust dimes with Small Eagle Reverse are very rare especially in high grades. The Heraldic Eagle design displayed the Great Seal
of the United States on the reverse, known also to collectors as the Large Eagle. This eagle had a shield on its breast and holding in its beak a ribbon with E
PLURIBUS UNUM inscribed on it. The eagle was holding arrows and an olive branch in its claws. The obverse depicted Liberty with flowing hair, a ribbon behind
her head, and drapery covering her neckline. LIBERTY was placed above and the date below.The denomination - 10 C. - appears for the first time on dimes in
1809 on the reverse, when the Mint issued the Capped Bust dimes, a design that lasted until 1837. This time, Liberty was facing left and was surrounded by 13
stars. Similar to the half dollar design, Liberty had her hair tucked in a cap secured by a headband with the word LIBERTY on it. The reverse had a majestic
eagle perched on a branch and holding arrows in its left claw. This time, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM was placed on a ribbon above the eagle and not in its
beak like on earlier dimes.
In 1837, a new design was introduced - the Seated Liberty designed by Christian Gobrecht. A design that appeared first on silver dollars in 1836, it displayed
Miss Liberty sitting on a rock and with a shield in front of her. In her right hand, Liberty was holding a scroll - or others would say a ribbon - with LIBERTY on it.
With her left hand, Liberty was holding a pole with a liberty cap on top. For the reverse, Gobrecht put the denomination ONE DIME in the middle, surrounded by
an olive branch with a bow. Just like the Seated Half Dime, this design underwent numerous changes along the years. The first Variety with No Stars on obverse
was minted in 1837-1838. In 1838 through 1853, the Variety 2 with Stars on obverse was minted for circulation - 13 stars were added and surrounded Liberty.
Starting 1838, Seated Liberty dimes were minted at the New Orleans mint, showing an O for the mintmark located above the bow on the reverse. The 1838-O
Seated Liberty Dime is popular among coin collectors. Within Variety 2, Seated Liberty dimes were minted some with No Drapery from Elbow (1838-1840) and
others With Drapery from Elbow (1840-1891).
After the gold rush in California and the rise in price of silver, the third Variety for Dimes emerged with Arrows at the Date (1853-1855) to denote the reduction
of weight under the laws of the Act of February, 1853. Arrows at date were also placed on half dimes, quarters and half dollars during that period. Variety 3
dimes were minted at Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco and Carson City mints. Just like the Seated half dimes, in 1860, the Seated Liberty dime design was
changed again when mint designer James Longacre switched the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA from the reverse to the obverse, and placed a "Cereal
Wreath" on the reverse, around the denomination. Among this Variety, the Carson City minted dimes are scarce and very popular with coin collectors. Dimes of
1873 and 1874 again appeared with arrowheads around the date, this time to signify a slight increase in the weight.
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