When was the first dime made? The dime is one of the most recognizable coins in United States currency, but have you ever wondered when the very first dime was made? This iconic little coin has an intriguing history stretching back over 200 years.
If you’re pressed for time, here’s the quick answer: the first dime was minted in 1796, during George Washington’s presidency.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the origins of the dime, from the early days of the fledgling U.S. Mint to the modern renditions of this beloved coin. We’ll learn about the first dime design, how it evolved over two centuries, and some key events in dime history you may not know about.
The Establishment of the U.S. Mint and the 1796 Dime
The Coinage Act of 1792
The Coinage Act of 1792 established the United States Mint and authorized the production of the country’s first official coins. This groundbreaking legislation was signed into law by President George Washington on April 2, 1792.
The act called for the creation of the U.S. Mint, which would be tasked with producing gold, silver, and copper coins to be used as legal tender.
The law specified the denominations, weights, and composition of the new coins. Among the denominations mandated was the silver dime, which was to weigh 2.7 grams and be composed of 89.24% silver.
However, the first U.S. Mint would not begin actually producing coins until 1793. The Philadelphia Mint struck the half cent, large cent, half dime, dime, quarter dollar, half dollar, silver dollar, and five dollar gold piece denominations in 1793.
So while authorized in 1792, the first official U.S. dimes were not minted until the following year.
The 1796 Dime Design
The Coinage Act of 1792 did not specify the designs to be used on the new coins, leaving that decision to the discretion of the Mint. The iconic Flowing Hair design was chosen for the obverse (front) of the early U.S. dimes minted in the 1790s.
The obverse depicts a bust of Liberty facing right, with flowing hair. She is wearing a liberty cap and a pole with a Phrygian cap on top. The reverse features an eagle surrounded by olive branches, with the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” around the rim.
Below the eagle are the denomination (“10 C”) and the date (1796).
This general design remained in use on dimes until 1807, when it was replaced by the Draped Bust depiction of Liberty designed by artist John Reich. Over the next decades, the designs on the dime would change numerous times as different artists put their imprints on the small silver coins.
But that original flowing hair design, as it appeared on those first dimes authorized in 1792 and struck starting in 1793, would go down in history as an iconic symbol of a fledgling nation founded on the principles of liberty.
Redesigns and Silver Content in 19th Century Dimes
Draped Bust Dimes (1796-1807)
The very first Draped Bust dimes were minted in 1796, featuring a portrait of Liberty wearing a mob cap and a draped bust on the obverse. These were designed by engraver Robert Scot and had a wreath reverse. The composition was 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper, weighing 2.7 grams.
Draped Bust dimes are highly sought after by coin collectors today. In January 2016, a 1796 Draped Bust dime sold at auction for $2 million, making it one of the most valuable dimes ever sold.
Capped Bust Dimes (1809-1837)
Capped Bust dimes replaced the Draped Bust design starting in 1809. This time Liberty wore a cap with the word “Liberty” engraved on it. The mintage was sporadic in the first few years but rose to over 1 million coins per year by 1820.
An 1822 Capped Bust dime with a special striking error recently sold for $349,600 at auction in 2018, showing these early dimes can be tremendously valuable.
Seated Liberty Dimes (1837-1891)
The next major redesign came in 1837, with Christian Gobrecht’s Seated Liberty image. Lady Liberty is shown sitting on a rock, wearing a dress and holding a staff with a liberty cap on top. This iconic design remained on the dime for over 50 years.
This series also saw the changeover from 89% silver coins to 90% silver in 1837. Many rare dates and variations like the 1873-CC no arrows dime command huge premiums today.
The Mercury Head and Roosevelt Dimes of the 20th Century
Mercury Head Dime (1916-1945)
The Mercury Head dime, also known as the Winged Liberty Head dime, was minted by the United States from 1916 to 1945. It was designed by sculptor Adolph A. Weinman, who won a public design competition in 1915 to create a new ten-cent piece to replace the outdated Barber dime.
Some distinctive features of the Mercury dime included the depiction of Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap or “cap of freedom” with wings on either side, representing freedom and liberty. The reverse side features a fasces (bundle of sticks) design and an olive branch, signifying authority and peace.
A major innovation with this coin is that it was the first ten-cent piece made of 90% silver and 10% copper, giving the coins a pure bright silvery sheen.
The coin was also nicknamed “Mercury” because of Liberty’s resemblance to the Roman god Mercury. But officially, it depicts Liberty and not Mercury. Over 1.2 billion Mercury dimes were minted before metal shortages during World War II brought production to an end in 1945.
Roosevelt Dime (1946-present)
The Roosevelt dime replaced the Mercury Head dime in 1946, shortly after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death in 1945. Roosevelt had been instrumental in founding the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis which helped fund research to find a cure for polio, and making the dime a memorial to him helped gain public support for the switch.
The Roosevelt Dime has featured an engraving of the 32nd president by John R. Sinnock on the obverse continuously since 1946. Sinnock’s bas-relief portrait of Roosevelt remains on the coin today. The reverse retains the same torch, wreath, and olive branch design from the Mercury dime.
But the fasces symbol was removed as a sign of democracy and peace.
Some key milestones for the Roosevelt dime include:
- 1965: The first year dimes were minted from copper-nickel clad rather than 90% silver.
- 1968: Proof versions minted at the San Francisco mint for coin collectors.
- 1992-S silver proof: 90% silver-proof versions resurrected for collectors.
The Roosevelt dime has become the only circulating U.S. coin design that has remained unchanged for over 75 years, making it one of the longest-running coin series.
| Features | Mercury Head Dime | Roosevelt Dime |
|---|---|---|
| Years of Issue | 1916-1945 | 1946-present |
| Person Depicted | Liberty with “winged cap” | President Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper | Copper-nickel clad from 1964 |
| Amount Minted | Over 1.2 billion coins | Over 20 billion coins and counting |
So while the Mercury dime came first, it was the Roosevelt dime that endured the test of time. Today, with over 20 billion Roosevelt dimes produced by the U.S. Mint and billions more still in circulation, Americans continue to make good use of this trusty ten-cent piece on a daily basis.
Modern Changes to Dime Composition and Design
The 1965 Switch to Clad Coinage
An important change came to the dime in 1965 when the United States Mint began producing coins using a copper-nickel-clad composition as opposed to the previous 90% silver alloy. This shift was made because rising silver prices meant that the intrinsic value of the coins was higher than their face value, leading some people to hoard silver coinage.
The new clad dimes consist of an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a pure copper core. This change allowed the Mint to continue producing dimes without their metal value exceeding 10 cents. The transition began in 1965 and was completed across all denominations by 1971.
While saving money, the switch to clad coinage brought complaints from some collectors that the new dimes lacked the beauty, weight, and tone of the older silver pieces. However, the new materials also meant the coins held up better in circulation.
Significance and Impact of the Dime in Commerce and Culture
Popularity in Vending Machines and Everyday Purchases
The dime has been an integral part of U.S. commerce since its introduction in 1796. Its affordable 10-cent denomination made it popular for small purchases and contributed greatly to its widespread use in vending machines in the early 20th century.
By 1965, the dime accounted for more than half of all coins required for vending machine operators, facilitating the purchase of snacks, beverages, newspapers, pay phones, and public transportation.
The ubiquity of vending machines assured the public availability and circulation of dimes to this day. According to the U.S. Mint, approximately 2.6 billion dimes are produced per year to meet commercial demand. The American vending industry relies heavily on dimes, using 1.6 – 1.9 billion annually.
Additionally, with roughly 5 million vending machines nationwide, the dime will likely maintain strong relevance for small cash transactions.
Recognition and Resonance of Roosevelt Dime Design
Perhaps no coin design holds more symbolic resonance than the FDR Roosevelt dime. Introduced in 1946, just one year after FDR’s death, the replacement of the winged Mercury dime celebrated one of America’s most influential 20th-century presidents.
This enduring tribute and familiar image of Roosevelt has made the dime a recognizable symbol of U.S. political and numeric systems.
According to the U.S. Mint, when the Roosevelt dime went into circulation Americans immediately took to the inspirational design featuring the late president’s courageous spirit and optimism. Over 70 years later, the iconic Roosevelt dime remains strongly embedded in American culture and consciousness.
Collectors also widely value the Roosevelt dime, making exceptional specimen examples highly coveted.
When Was The First Dime Made – Conclusion
From those very first Liberty Cap dimes in 1796 to the modern Roosevelt dimes we know so well today, the history of the dime reflects the growth and evolution of American currency. As we’ve explored, the changing designs tell stories of economic shifts, key political events, and the nation’s values.
So next time you get a dime in change, take a closer look – that humble little coin has over 200 years of intriguing history behind it! Whether tied to the early U.S. Mint or FDR’s New Deal programs, the dime has had an outsized impact on American commerce and culture.
