1828 Capped Bust Dime

The story of the 1828

Production at Philadelphia fell off a cliff in 1828. Only 125,000 were made, against 1.2 million the year before. That drop is why the 1828 is the one people look for. The next year it made 770,000 (1829).

No other mint struck it for circulation that year, so every 1828 you find is from Philadelphia. In the whole series, its mintage sits closest to the 1822 (100,000) and the 1824 (100,000).

Philadelphia struck the Capped Bust Dime in 20 issues between 1809 and 1837. By mintage this one lands in the scarcer half, while the key for that mint is the 1809 (51,065). Within the 1820s it's 3rd smallest of 9, between the 1824 (100,000) and the 1825 (410,000).

More on the 1828

The 1828 is a transition date. The Mint struck 125,000 dimes that year, some in the old style and some in the new reduced size made in a close collar. The Large Date coins have the wide rims and long denticles of the earlier dimes, with a curled base on the 2. The Small Date coins are slightly smaller, with a raised rim, a ring of beads and a 2 with a square base. They are the first of the Small Size type.

Both versions are scarce, since 125,000 was a low figure for the period. For collectors the 1828 is the only date that belongs to both types, so many want it twice. Check the rim and border first: long teeth running to the edge mean Large Date, while beads inside a raised rim mean Small Date. Then look at the base of the 2 to confirm. Survivors of both are mostly worn and many have been cleaned.

The close collar and a smaller dime (1828 to 1831)

In 1828 the Mint began striking dimes in a close collar, a steel ring that held the planchet as it was struck. The collar formed the reeded edge and gave every coin the same diameter. The new dimes are smaller and a bit thicker, about 18.5 millimeters across, with a raised rim and a row of small beads inside it. The design itself stayed the same, with the motto still on the reverse.

Philadelphia struck 125,000 dimes in 1828, in both the old Large Date style and the new Small Date reduced size. The 1828 is the scarce date of this group. Output rose to 770,000 in 1829. That year has several varieties, including the rare Curl Base 2, where the 2 in the date has a curled foot. There are also Small, Medium and Large 10 C. versions. The 510,000 dimes of 1830 include an 1830/29 overdate. In 1831 the Mint struck 771,350.

These coins look neater than earlier dimes because of the close collar, so they are a good place to start a Capped Bust set. For an 1828, check whether yours has the old wide rim and long denticles or the new beaded border. For an 1829, look at the base of the 2 with a magnifier. Collectors call the two styles the Large Size and Small Size types.