Draped Bust Dime 1796 - 1807
Draped Bust Dime 1796 - 1807: identify, compare, and value
Use this page to identify details collectors compare, understand value clues, and check current market examples.
Value Guide Summary
Use this page to understand what this collectible is, what details collectors usually compare, and where to check current market examples.
What collectors look for
Original condition, age, maker marks, materials, completeness, unusual variants, and documented history usually matter most.
How to identify examples
Compare markings, construction details, finish, size, period-correct materials, and known design features before assuming authenticity.
Value clues
Rarity, demand, condition, eye appeal, provenance, and whether similar examples are actively selling can all affect market value.
Red flags
Watch for reproductions, heavy restoration, replaced parts, fantasy pieces, unclear photos, and listings with vague descriptions.
The Draped Dime, minted from 1796 to 1807, holds a significant place in the history of United States coinage. This coin is known for its elegant design and historical importance. The Draped Dime was introduced at a time when the United States was still finding its identity as a nation. It was part of the early coinage efforts of the newly formed U.S. Mint.
The Draped Bust/Small Eagle design, crafted under the supervision of Mint Chief Engraver Robert Scot, showcased an image of Liberty exuding an air of elegance. She was portrayed with her hair flowing and adorned with a ribbon, her neckline gracefully covered by drapery. This exquisite depiction was framed by stars on either side, with the word "LIBERTY" inscribed above and the date below. Notably, dimes from 1796 bore 15 stars, symbolizing each state in the young Union at the time. However, in 1797, the coin saw variations with 16 stars, marking Tennessee's entry as the 16th state, and others with 13 stars, harking back to the original 13 states. This adjustment signaled the abandonment of the practice of adding a new star for each state's admission. On the reverse side, a small, outspread-winged eagle perched amid clouds, framed by palm and olive branches, was accompanied by the motto "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Interestingly, this coin did not bear any denomination, despite the requirement of the 1792 Mint Act that only copper cents and half-cents be inscribed with their values.
The inspiration for Liberty's portrait stemmed from a drawing of the renowned Philadelphia socialite Ann Willing Bingham, celebrated as one of the most beautiful women of her era. The distinguished portraitist Gilbert Stuart, purportedly at the urging of President George Washington himself, created this drawing. It was subsequently translated into plaster by artist John Eckstein, with Mint Chief Engraver Robert Scot executing the coin dies. When assessing the condition of this design, signs of wear typically manifest first on Liberty's bust, shoulder, and the hair above her ear and forehead. On the reverse side, attention should be given to the eagle's head and wingtips.
This inaugural regular-issue dime was produced for a brief two-year period. In 1798, it underwent a transformation, transitioning to a larger, more heraldic eagle design, marking the beginning of a new type. Throughout this relatively short duration, the U.S. Mint minted a total of 47,396 dimes. Within this series, there exist only three fundamental variations: the 1796, the 1797 with 16 stars, and the 1797 with 13 stars. Consequently, some collectors aspire to assemble complete sets, despite the considerable cost of each component. Conversely, many collectors choose to regard this coin as a representative type, acquiring a single specimen to signify the entire series. While comprehensive research on these early dimes was once limited, contemporary specialists in coin varieties recognize eight distinct varieties (six from 1796 and two from 1797), meticulously detailed in "Early United States Dimes, 1796-1837," a publication released in 1984 by the John Reich Collectors Society.