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LIBERTY SEATED DIME
Designs of early dimes closely follow those of half dimes, except that the first dimes were not
minted until the Draped Bust obverse, Small Eagle reverse style of 1796 and 1797 (there are no
Flowing Hair dimes, equivalent to 1794-95 half dimes). In 1798, the Draped Bust obverse was
combined with the Heraldic Eagle reverse, a style continued through 1807.
Among early dimes are several interesting varieties. 1797 pieces are found with 13 stars or 16
stars on the obverse. 1798 varieties are found with 13 star or 16 stars on the reverse. One
variety of 1804, the 14-star reverse, was struck from the identical reverse die used in the same
year to made gold quarter eagles.
The Liberty Seated design, by Christian Gobrecht, with modifications by Robert Ball Hughes and,
to the reverse, by James B. Longacre, was produced in several types from 1837 through 1891.
Next came the Liberty Head dime by Charles Barber, called the Barber dime today. These were
struck from 1892 to 1916.
minted until the Draped Bust obverse, Small Eagle reverse style of 1796 and 1797 (there are no
Flowing Hair dimes, equivalent to 1794-95 half dimes). In 1798, the Draped Bust obverse was
combined with the Heraldic Eagle reverse, a style continued through 1807.
Among early dimes are several interesting varieties. 1797 pieces are found with 13 stars or 16
stars on the obverse. 1798 varieties are found with 13 star or 16 stars on the reverse. One
variety of 1804, the 14-star reverse, was struck from the identical reverse die used in the same
year to made gold quarter eagles.
The Liberty Seated design, by Christian Gobrecht, with modifications by Robert Ball Hughes and,
to the reverse, by James B. Longacre, was produced in several types from 1837 through 1891.
Next came the Liberty Head dime by Charles Barber, called the Barber dime today. These were
struck from 1892 to 1916.
Liberty Seated Dimes (1796-1891)
Reference Works
The dime series has attracted relatively few scholars until recent decades. Today, several excellent works exist:
Ahwash, Kamal M. Encyclopedia of United States Liberty Seated Dimes 1837-1891. Kamal Press, 1977.
Breen, Walter H. Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Co New York: Doubleday, 1988.
Davis, David, et al. Early United States Dimes 1796-1837. Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1984.
Green, Brian. The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Dimes. Virginia Beach, VA: DLRC Press, 1992.
Kosoff, A. United States Dimes From 1796. New York: Numismatic Gallery, 1945.
Lawrence, David. The Complete Guide to Barber Dimes. Virginia Beach, VA: DLRC Press, 1991.
The dime series has attracted relatively few scholars until recent decades. Today, several excellent works exist:
Ahwash, Kamal M. Encyclopedia of United States Liberty Seated Dimes 1837-1891. Kamal Press, 1977.
Breen, Walter H. Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Co New York: Doubleday, 1988.
Davis, David, et al. Early United States Dimes 1796-1837. Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1984.
Green, Brian. The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Dimes. Virginia Beach, VA: DLRC Press, 1992.
Kosoff, A. United States Dimes From 1796. New York: Numismatic Gallery, 1945.
Lawrence, David. The Complete Guide to Barber Dimes. Virginia Beach, VA: DLRC Press, 1991.