Draped Bust dimes establish the federal ten-cent coin in silver and divide naturally between a short Small Eagle debut and the longer Heraldic Eagle format.

This page covers the 1796–1807 Draped Bust dime, including catalog rows for major reverse and date subtypes. Later Capped Bust dimes are separate.

Core specifications

Issue period
1796–1807
Catalog mints
1
Reported catalog mintage
469,406
Composition
89% Silver - 11% Copper
Diameter
19 mm
Weight
2.7 g

The decimal tenth becomes a coin

The Coinage Act of 1792 authorized the disme as one-tenth of a dollar, but regular dime production began in 1796. Like other early silver denominations, output depended on bullion deposits and Mint capacity.

The reverse changed after 1797 from a small eagle in a wreath to a heraldic eagle. Sparse production, hand-prepared dies, and many date-level variants make the series more than a simple twelve-year checklist.

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

Draped Bust Liberty faces right with tied hair, LIBERTY above, stars to the sides, and the date below.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

1796–1797 use a small eagle in a wreath; 1798–1807 use a shielded heraldic eagle beneath clouds and stars.

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: 1796, 1797, 1798, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1807; 469,406. 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

Start with one coin per reverse type, then plan scarce dates and die marriages separately from ordinary wear or surface quality.

  • 1796 P — 22,135. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1797 P - All Varieties — 25,261. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1802 P — 10,975. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1804 P - All Varieties — 8,265. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1807 P — 165,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Issue catalog

1796 P Draped Bust Dime1797 P Draped Bust Dime - All Varieties1797 P Draped Bust Dime - 13 Stars1797 P Draped Bust Dime - 16 Stars1798 P Draped Bust Dime - All Varieties1798 P Draped Bust Dime - 8 Over 7 - 13 Stars1798 P Draped Bust Dime - 8 Over 7 - 16 Stars1798 P Draped Bust Dime - Small 81798 P Draped Bust Dime - Large 81800 P Draped Bust Dime1801 P Draped Bust Dime1802 P Draped Bust Dime1803 P Draped Bust Dime1804 P Draped Bust Dime - All Varieties1804 P Draped Bust Dime - 13 Stars1804 P Draped Bust Dime - 14 Stars1805 P Draped Bust Dime - All Varieties1805 P Draped Bust Dime - 4 Berries1805 P Draped Bust Dime - 5 Berries1807 P Draped 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.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 20 issue records, 0 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. Dime: Designs and History — United States Mint
  2. Draped Bust Dime category reference — PCGS CoinFacts