Capped Bust dimes bridge hand-worked early silver and close-collar coinage, with a broad 1809–1828 format and a reduced-diameter 1828–1837 type.

This guide covers both cataloged Capped Bust dime types from 1809 through 1837, including the modeled 1833 date variety.

Core specifications

Issue period
1809–1837
Catalog mints
1
Reported catalog mintage
11,710,194
Composition
89% Silver - 11% Copper
Diameter
Varies by type
Weight
2.7 g

New machinery reshapes the ten-cent coin

John Reich's Capped Bust dime appeared in 1809 after a gap in dime production. Early pieces retain the broad border and hand-finished character of screw-press coinage.

A smaller, close-collar format entered in 1828 as Mint technology improved consistency and the reeded edge. The 1837 law revised silver standards just before Liberty Seated replaced the design.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

Liberty faces left wearing a cap and headband marked LIBERTY, with stars around the portrait and the date below.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

A shielded eagle holds arrows and an olive branch; E PLURIBUS UNUM and 10 C. identify the denomination, while size and border separate the major formats.

Where the cataloged coins were made

Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.

  • P — Philadelphia: 1809, 1811, 1814, 1820, 1821, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837; 11,710,194. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.

Representative issues that explain the series

A two-type set shows the mechanical transition; a date set adds low-output 1809, 1811, and 1822 issues plus numerous die marriages.

  • 1809 P — 51,065. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1811 P - 11 Over 09 — 65,180. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1822 P — 100,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1828 P - All Varieties — 125,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1837 P — 359,500. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Start with the major type, then study smaller die differences

The current catalog records 1 varieties. A variety name describes repeatable die features; it does not automatically mean error, rarity, or added value.

The issue catalog keeps all 1 modeled varieties attached to their parent issue records.

Issue catalog

1809 P Capped Bust Dime1811 P Capped Bust Dime - 11 Over 091814 P Capped Bust Dime - All Varieties1814 P Capped Bust Dime - Small Date1814 P Capped Bust Dime - Large Date1814 P Capped Bust Dime - StatesOfAmerica1820 P Capped Bust Dime - All Varieties1820 P Capped Bust Dime - Large 01820 P Capped Bust Dime - Small 01820 P Capped Bust Dime - StatesOfAmerica1821 P Capped Bust Dime - All Varieties1821 P Capped Bust Dime - Large Date1821 P Capped Bust Dime - Small Date1822 P Capped Bust Dime1823 P Capped Bust Dime - All Varieties1823 P Capped Bust Dime - 3 Over 2 - Large E1823 P Capped Bust Dime - 3 Over 2 - Small E1824 P Capped Bust Dime - All Varieties1824 P Capped Bust Dime - 4 Over 2 - Flat Top 11824 P Capped Bust Dime - 4 Over 2 - Pointed Top 11825 P Capped Bust Dime1827 P Capped Bust Dime - All Varieties1827 P Capped Bust Dime - Flat Top 1 in 10 C.1827 P Capped Bust Dime - Pointed Top 1 in 10 C.1828 P Capped Bust Dime - All Varieties1828 P Capped Bust Dime - Large Date - Curl Base 21828 P Capped Bust Dime - Small Date - Square Base 21829 P Capped Bust Dime - All Varieties1829 P Capped Bust Dime - Extra Large 10C1829 P Capped Bust Dime - Large 10C1829 P Capped Bust Dime - Medium 10C1829 P Capped Bust Dime - Small 10C1829 P Capped Bust Dime - Curl Base 21830 P Capped Bust Dime - All Varieties1830 P Capped Bust Dime - Large 10C1830 P Capped Bust Dime - Small 10C1830 P Capped Bust Dime - 30 Over 291831 P Capped Bust Dime1832 P Capped Bust Dime1833 P Capped Bust Dime1834 P Capped Bust Dime - All Varieties1834 P Capped Bust Dime - Small 41834 P Capped Bust Dime - Large 41835 P Capped Bust Dime1836 P Capped Bust Dime1837 P Capped Bust Dime

From one type coin to a complete catalog

  • One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
  • Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
  • Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.
  • Variety study: Choose one date or diagnostic family and record several matching markers for every attribution.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 46 issue records, 1 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. Legislation to Further Establish a Mint — United States Mint
  2. Dime: Designs and History — United States Mint
  3. Capped Bust Dime category reference — PCGS CoinFacts