1829 Capped Bust Dime

The story of the 1829

Philadelphia ramped up hard in 1829: 770,000 coins, about 6.2 times the 1828 run. In 1830 the figure was 510,000.

No other mint struck it for circulation that year, so every 1829 you find is from Philadelphia. In the whole series, its mintage sits closest to the 1831 (771,350) and the 1834 (635,000).

Across Philadelphia's 20 Capped Bust Dime issues, the hardest to find is the 1809 with 51,065 made. The 1829 is one of the easier ones. Within the 1820s it's 6th smallest of 9, between the 1823 (440,000) and the 1820 (942,587).

More on the 1829

The 1829 was the first full year of the Small Size dime struck in a close collar. The Mint delivered 770,000. Different punches were used for the value on different reverse dies, so collectors find Small, Medium and Large 10 C. varieties.

The rare 1829 is the Curl Base 2, where the foot of the 2 in the date curls instead of ending in a flat base. It is far scarcer than the regular date and one of the most prized coins of the whole type. Most 1829 dimes have the normal square base 2, so if yours shows a curled foot, have it attributed. Apart from that variety, the 1829 is a common date for its age and a good choice for a type coin. Check the 2, compare the size of the 10 C. with the letters of the legend and judge wear by the cap band and curls. Small Size dimes have neat beaded borders, so uneven rims point to damage rather than old minting.

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.