Invest in Antique Dime Coins

Coins have a lot of cultural and historical information to share, whether it comes from the coin's design, mint mark, condition and composition.

Coins are also collected because some of them actually appreciate in value. This happens because the coin has either intrinsic bullion value (such as silver, gold and platinum coins) or it has become valuable through rarity.

Coin collecting boomed in America especially in the 1930s when United States commemorative coins were available to everyone. Today, coin collectors in the United States alone number by the millions. An active coin-collecting community spans clubs across the country.

1. The first recorded scheme for a decimal-based coinage system in the United States was applied for in 1783 and endorsed by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and David Rittenhouse.

2. The first dimes struck for circulation appeared in 1796, delayed by lack of demand for the coin and by the United States Mint’s manufacturing problems.

3. The first ever dime known as the Draped Bust had no markings to indicate the coin's value. The Capped Bust dime of 1809 changed all this; it carried a "10 C." mark on its reverse.

4. The dime is a regular to the minting press nearly every year since 1827, although some years have seen very low mintage amounts.

5. The longest running design was attained by the Roosevelt dime when it reached its 55th year in 2001, ousting the 54-year record of the Seated Liberty dime.

The dime is a coin with a value of ten cents, or one tenth of a United States dollar. The dime has the smallest diameter and is the thinnest of all U.S. coins presently minted for circulation. Perhaps the most interesting fact about the dime is that the actual value in cents or dollars of the coin is nowhere stated on the coin. What we have is a terse "one dime."

Mintage of the dime was enacted by the Coinage Act of 1792, and the manufacture of coins started in 1796. A feminine head symbolizing Liberty appeared on the front of the coin, and an eagle was used on the back. Both sides of the dime had these designs for three varying designs through 1837. From 1837 to 1891, "Seated Liberty" dimes were issued, this time with Liberty seated next to a shield. In 1892, the feminine head was once more on the dime, and the coin was nicknamed "Barber dime" after coin designer Charles E. Barber. The backs of both of the latter two designs had "ONE DIME" surrounded by wreaths. In 1916, the head of a winged-capped Liberty mistakenly called Mercury was put on the dime; the back featured a fasces. The last time change was implemented in the design was in 1946.

The composition and diameter of the dime have also been altered throughout its mintage. Initially the dime was 0.75 inches (or 19 millimeters) wide, but the shift to its current size of 0.705 inches (17.91 millimeters) occurred in 1828. The original metal composition (formerly 89.24 percent silver and 10.76 percent copper) held until 1837, when subtle changes were incorporated (90 percent silver and 10 percent copper). This policy with dimes continued until 1966, although those minted in 1965 and 1966 bear the date 1964. By 1965, dimes were turned out clad with a composition of cupronickel which is still in use today.

“Dime” itself originated from the French word disme (modern French spelling dîme), which meant "tithe" or "tenth part," which in turn came from the Latin decima pars.

Where To Begin

1. Why not check the coins that you have on hand? Check your pockets, wallet, desk drawers, including jars and bottles capable of holding coins, and under the sofa cushions.
2. Contact friends and relatives who may have some old or unusual coins to add to your collection.
3. Once your collection is substantial already, it will need a durable and protective container. Try browsing the Internet for coin albums; keep in mind that if you need custom made albums, these are available too. Other means of storage (with their own unique pros and cons) are paper envelopes, plastic tubes, slabs, and flips.
4. Familiarize yourself with the common technical language used by professional collectors. Special terms are used to refer to a coin's condition, value and its look.

Collecting United States Coins

United States coins were and are still manufactured at four Mint facilities: Philadelphia, PA, Denver, CO, San Francisco, CA, and West Point, NY. The United States Mint also turns out annual proof and uncirculated sets, national medals, and commemorative coins.

Which numismatic items would you like to start with?

Program Coins

In January 1999, a unique 10-year celebration of the states kicked off. For the 50 State Quarters®Program, a collection of five quarter-dollars with new reverses will be issued each year until 2008.

Annual Coin Sets

Each year, the United States Mint gathers sets of the proof and the uncirculated coins that were made for that year. You can buy current-year sets straight from the United States Mint. For previous years however, coin dealers or other collectors will be good sources of these.

Proof Sets

In contrast to circulating coins, proof coins show brilliant mirror-like backgrounds, with frosted, sculpted foregrounds.

Uncirculated United States Mint Sets

These coins are minted via the same process for circulating coins, but they have high-grade improvements - slightly higher coining force, early strikes from dies, special cleaning after stamping, and protective wrapping in Mylar.

Commemmorative Coins

Approved by Congress, commemorative coins commonly honor American institutions. The United States Mint issues them but for a limited period only. After which they can be availed of through collectors and coin dealers. Sales of these coins fund selected organizations authorized by Congress in the commemorative coin legislation.

American Eagle Proof Coins

These high-quality, precious metal proof coins are made from individually selected planchets polished to a high luster. They are minted at least twice on specially adapted coining presses, which helps produce even the most minute of features with high clarity. The finished proof coin is then hand-inspected and packaged specially to protect its craftsmanship.

National Medals

The United States Mint makes these selective awards as enforced by Congress. National medals celebrate the Nation's milestone historical dates or pay homage to individuals whose superior contributions have advanced our Nation’s sake or that of the world. When legislation permits, bronze versions are struck for sale to the public. For instance, bronze replicas were available for the gold medals honoring civil rights leader Dr. Dorothy Height.

Errors and Misstrikes

Its amazing, but true, that the US Mint makes available to the public error and misstrike coins. Collectors funnel these coins into three major categories: die errors, planchet errors, and striking errors. You can learn more about this category through national error clubs, coverage of errors in numismatic publications, and the formal cataloging of Mint errors.

Click here for some tips on Storing and Displaying Coins, Caring for Coins, Handling Your Collection.