Draped Bust Dime Values & Mintages
The first US dimes were struck in 1796 with Robert Scot's Draped Bust portrait of Liberty and a small eagle inside a wreath on the reverse. From 1798 a heraldic eagle with a shield replaced it.
- Years
- 1796–1807
- Issues listed
- 14
- Lowest mintage
- 8,265
- Diameter
- 19 mm
Original illustration. Tap to flip.
These dimes carry no statement of value at all. Mintages were tiny by later standards, so every date is scarce; the 1796, 1797 and 1804 are the most sought after.
Designer: Robert Scot.
Key dates: lowest mintages
See all 14 →Famous varieties & errors
Every Draped Bust Dime by year and mint
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| Owned✓ | Coin | Year | Mint | Mintage | Type | Silver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1796 Draped Bust Dime | 1796 | None | 22,135 | Circulation strike | 0.0775 oz | |
| 1797 Draped Bust Dime | 1797 | None | 25,261 | Circulation strike | 0.0775 oz | |
| 1797 Draped Bust Dime (13 Stars obverse) | 1797 | None | – | Variety | 0.0775 oz | |
| 1798 Draped Bust Dime | 1798 | None | 27,550 | Circulation strike | 0.0775 oz | |
| 1798 Draped Bust Dime (Overdate, 8 over 7, 1798/97) | 1798 | None | – | Variety | 0.0775 oz | |
| 1798 Draped Bust Dime (Small 8) | 1798 | None | – | Variety | 0.0775 oz | |
| 1800 Draped Bust Dime | 1800 | None | 21,760 | Circulation strike | 0.0775 oz | |
| 1801 Draped Bust Dime | 1801 | None | 34,640 | Circulation strike | 0.0775 oz | |
| 1802 Draped Bust Dime | 1802 | None | 10,975 | Circulation strike | 0.0775 oz | |
| 1803 Draped Bust Dime | 1803 | None | 33,040 | Circulation strike | 0.0775 oz | |
| 1804 Draped Bust Dime | 1804 | None | 8,265 | Circulation strike | 0.0775 oz | |
| 1804 Draped Bust Dime (14 Stars reverse) | 1804 | None | – | Variety | 0.0775 oz | |
| 1805 Draped Bust Dime | 1805 | None | 120,780 | Circulation strike | 0.0775 oz | |
| 1807 Draped Bust Dime | 1807 | None | 165,000 | Circulation strike | 0.0775 oz |
Composition by year
| Years | Metal | Weight | Silver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1796–1807 | 89.24% silver, 10.76% copper | 2.7 g | 0.0775 oz |
Mint mark location
1796–1807: No mint mark. Every Draped Bust dime was struck in Philadelphia.
Grading tips
Look at the hair above Liberty's forehead and the folds of drapery at her shoulder. On the reverse check the eagle's breast and wing tips.
The first American dimes
The Coinage Act of 1792 created a ten-cent coin, spelled disme in the law, as part of a new decimal system of coinage. A few pattern dismes were made in 1792, but regular dimes did not appear until 1796. By then the Mint had adopted Robert Scot's Draped Bust portrait for its silver coins, so the dime began life with that design.
Early dimes were made one at a time on a hand-powered screw press. Workers weighed every planchet and filed down any that were heavy, which left the fine parallel scratches collectors call adjustment marks. The coins were struck in 89.24 percent silver, a standard that lasted until 1837.
Two reverses, one short series
The series falls into two types. Dimes of 1796 and 1797 have the small eagle reverse. Those of 1798 to 1807 have the heraldic eagle. Collectors who want one example of each design need a far scarcer small eagle coin and a heraldic eagle coin, where the 1805 and 1807 are the usual choices.
There are only ten dates in all, with no dimes dated 1799 or 1806. Many dates have several die marriages. Specialists collect them by JR number, after the reference on early dimes published by the John Reich Collectors Society. Overdates such as the 1798/97 and stars varieties such as the 1804 with fourteen stars on the reverse add to the challenge.
Checking a Draped Bust dime
Start with the date and the reverse type, since together they tell you which issue you have. Then judge the wear. On a well preserved coin you can see the strands of Liberty's hair and the feathers on the eagle's wings. On a worn one the hair is flat and the eagle is an outline.
Look carefully for problems. Holes, plugs, bends, tooling and old cleaning are common on coins this old and they reduce the collector premium a great deal. Weak strikes on the stars, the eagle's head or the clouds are normal for the period and are not damage. Counterfeits exist, so a coin that seems too sharp or has a soapy look should be authenticated by a grading service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the rarest Draped Bust Dime?
By mintage, the scarcest regular circulation issue is the 1804 Draped Bust Dime with 8,265 struck, followed by the 1802 Draped Bust Dime (10,975). Survival rates and condition also matter: some higher-mintage dates are scarce in top grades.
Are Draped Bust Dimes silver?
1796–1807: 89.24% silver, 10.76% copper.
Where is the mint mark on a Draped Bust Dime?
1796–1807: No mint mark. Every Draped Bust dime was struck in Philadelphia.
How many Draped Bust Dimes were made?
About 469,406 for circulation across 10 date and mint combinations, from 165,000 for the 1807 Draped Bust Dime down to 8,265 for the 1804 Draped Bust Dime.
Who designed the Draped Bust Dime?
Robert Scot.
Why does my Draped Bust dime have no denomination?
The Mint did not put a value on its early silver coins. People knew the dime by its size and weight. The value 10 C. first appeared on the Capped Bust dime in 1809.
What are the lines on my early dime?
Fine parallel lines are often adjustment marks, made when the planchet was filed to the correct weight before striking. They are part of how the coin was made and are not considered damage, though very heavy marks can affect eye appeal.
Why are there no dimes dated 1799 or 1806?
The Mint struck coins mainly to order for people who deposited silver. Most depositors wanted larger coins. In those years no dimes were made with those dates.
Other dimes
Mintages from US Mint records as published in standard references, each checked against at least two independent sources. Specifications from US Mint records. All sources.