In the coin world, the quarter receives a lot of attention. However, what about the next one in line? Let’s take a closer look at the dime.
Why are dimes so small?
The Coinage Act of 1792, also known as the Mint Act, established the U.S. Mint and created a decimal system for the young nation’s currency. The legislation authorized U.S. dimes, which would be worth 10 cents. Because it would be the second most valuable coin after the quarter, it makes logical sense that it would also be the second largest. But, in fact, the dime turned out to be quite a bit smaller. The reason for this goes back to the timetable of when specific coins were introduced.
Over time, other U.S. coins — including half-dollars, quarters, and dimes — were created in smaller units. Each of these new coins was designed so that it would contain the appropriate amount of silver relative to the dollar coin. As a result, the dime had to be relatively small because it only had one-tenth the amount of silver that the dollar coin had.
Eventually, nickels and pennies were needed to make everyday transactions easier. That presented a challenge: How could the U.S. Mint make these smaller denominations of coins even smaller than the tiny dime?
Fortunately, as these new coins were being developed, the country was moving away from using precious metals in coins. Like most modern coins, the new coins were fashioned out of various non-precious metals, including copper, zinc, and nickel.
What Are Dimes Made Of?
Today, U.S. dimes are made out of an alloy (a mixture of metals) of 91.67 percent copper and 8.33 percent nickel. They are the smallest, thinnest, and lightest U.S. coin, and each dime has an edge dimpled with 118 ridges.
Silver Dimes
All dimes produced in the U.S. before 1965 are made of 90% silver. These vintage coins are sometimes referred to as “junk silver” in the industry because they aren’t considered collectable. Additionally, every year since 1992, proof Roosevelt dimes issued by the U.S. Mint in special Silver Proof Sets have likewise been struck from .900 fine silver.
If your dime bears an image of Lady Liberty, it’s almost certainly made of silver. This includes both Seated Liberty (minted 1837-91) and Barber dimes (minted 1892-1916). It's highly unlikely you will find one of these old dimes in your pocket change, however.
You may be fortunate enough to come across a Mercury dime (minted 1916-45). The image is actually Lady Liberty wearing a winged cap, but it has long been mistaken for the Roman god, Mercury. The nickname endures.
Are you curious about what a silver dime might be worth? You can always calculate the melt value of your silver dime by multiplying its actual silver weight — 0.07234 troy ounces — by the current spot price of silver.
The troy ounce is retained even today as the standard unit of measurement in the precious metals market to ensure purity standards, and other common measures remain consistent over time.
What Is a Troy Ounce?
Precious metals are always weighed in troy ounces. When dealing with those metals, “troy ounce” and “ounce” are interchangeable.
Non-precious metals like copper are weighed in regular ounces. A troy ounce weighs approximately 31.104 grams, while a regular, or avoirdupois, ounce weighs approximately 28 grams.
A kilo bar of silver weighs 32.15 troy ounces, whereas a kilo bar of copper weighs 35.27 ounces.
So, How Much Do Dimes Weigh?
The U.S. first began minting dimes in 1796 following the Coinage Act of 1792. In the original piece of legislation, the dime was called a “disme.” The first dime was issued at a weight of 2.70 grams (0.095 ounces) and was composed of 89.25% silver and 10.75% copper.
These Draped Bust dimes kept this weight and metallic content until 1809. From 1809 to 1837, the U.S. minted the Capped Bust dime, which weighed 2.41 grams (0.085 ounces). From 1837 to 1891, the Seated Liberty dime was minted, although the weight changed twice during that time.
The metallic composition was changed to 90% silver and10% copper, and the weight changed to 2.67 grams (0.094 ounces). Between 1853 and 1855, the weight was reduced to 2.49 grams (0.087 ounces) due to rising silver prices. The Coinage Act of 1873 changed the weight to 2.50 grams (0.088 grams), where it stayed until the Coinage Act of 1965.
How Much Does a Dime Weigh on a Scale?
All U.S. dimes minted since 1965 weigh 2.268 grams (0.080 ounces). U.S. dimes have a diameter of 17.91 mm, a thickness of 1.35 mm, and are composed of a metallic “clad sandwich” of copper (91.67%) and nickel (8.33%).
The mint started using this clad sandwich to replace the coinage of dimes and quarters and a clad sandwich of 40% silver and copper to replace the half dollar. the half dollar dropped the silver content in 1970 and adopted the base metal clad metal in 1971.
Types of Dimes
Though it may be small in size, America's dime goes back more than two centuries — to the early days of our country. Over the years, it has undergone many changes.
Draped Bust Dime (1796-1837)
First struck in 1796, the original dime design — like other silver coins of the era — bore the Draped Bust design.
The obverse depicts a bust of Liberty with her hair tied with a ribbon. For the series' first two years, the reverse showed an eagle perched within a wreath. In 1798, the reverse design was changed to feature the Heraldic Eagle. This design was struck through 1807.
Capped Bust Dimes (1809-37)
The U.S. Mint did not issue dimes in 1808, but it released the Capped Bust dime in 1809. Though the obverse was similar to that of the earlier design, Liberty’s head now sported a cloth cap.
The eagle on the dime’s reverse also changed with this new design, now appearing perched on a branch with arrows clutched in its talons. Although this design was issued through 1837, it was not struck every year until 1827.
Liberty Seated Dime (1837-91)
First issued in the same year as the final Capped Bust dimes, the Liberty Seated coinage marked a departure from the classic close-up portraiture. This new, more modern design featured a full-length depiction of Liberty.
Seated on a rock, she holds a pole in her left hand with a cap on the end. Her right hand supports a shield. On the reverse, the traditional eagle was replaced by an open wreath surrounding the denomination.
In 1837 and early 1838, no stars appeared in the obverse design, but beginning in 1838 through 1860, 13 stars were added surrounding Liberty. Although the design was modified several more times before it was discontinued, the Liberty Seated coinage continued until 1891.
Barber or Liberty Head Dime (1892-1916)
During the last year of the Liberty Seated dime, the Treasury Department began a search for new coin designs. As a result, in 1892, Charles Barber's Liberty Head design debuted on the dime — as well as the quarter and half dollar.
Better known as the Barber dime, the obverse features Liberty’s profile, wearing a cap and laurel wreath on her head. The reverse was continued from the previous design: a wreath surrounding the statement of value.
Mercury or Winged Liberty Head Dime (1916-45)
Adolph A. Weinman’s highly acclaimed “Mercury” design replaced the Barber dime partway through 1916. Elsie Stevens, the wife of poet Wallace Stevens, may have been Weinman’s model.
His design once again featured the head of Liberty, this time wearing a winged cap to symbolize freedom of thought. However, following the coin’s debut, the public mistook Liberty for the Roman god Mercury.
To this day, the coin is best known by that nickname. The reverse also changed, featuring a fasces (bundle of sticks) with an ax blade, and an olive branch in the background. The beloved Mercury dime continued until 1945. That same year marked the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which prompted another change to America’s dime.
Roosevelt Dime (1946 to date)
In 1946, the year following Roosevelt’s passing, a dime design debuted in his honor. Depicting the profile of America’s 32nd president, this tribute was exceptionally fitting because of his longstanding association with the March of Dimes.
The reverse shows a torch flanked by branches, with the denomination below and the words “United States of America” above. This design continues today and is the longest-running dime design in U.S. history.
Taking a Closer Look at Coins
The history of the dime is quite impressive, and you may find it surprising how many different types of dime designs have existed throughout the years. Many of the coins’ designs have incorporated different historical elements.
Are you interested in more facts about other coins? Then it’s worth looking into how much a quarter weighs.
