Illustrated Specimen Details: Dime (United States)
Example Specimen: Dime, 1988 — United States of America (USA)
Among numismatists, this specific issue is widely known as the "Roosevelt Dime". US coins frequently carry personal names based on their theme, such as a president's portrait or the specific style of an allegorical figure.
Obverse Design: The obverse features the portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States (from 1933 to 1945). It includes the word LIBERTY, the official motto IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date 1988. The "P" mintmark indicates production in Philadelphia, and the initials "JS" credit the engraver, John R. Sinnock.
Reverse Symbols: The reverse bears the traditional motto E PLURIBUS UNUM (Out of many, one) and the state name. Central imagery includes an olive branch, a torch, and an oak branch, which collectively symbolize peace, liberty, and victory.
Denomination: One Dime (10 cents)
Date: 1988
Metal: Copper-nickel plated copper
Weight: 2.27 g | Diameter: 17.9 mm
Mintage: 1,030,550,000
Estimated value: 0.2$
DENOMINATION GUIDE — WHERE & WHEN (coins catalog: by names & emitents)
Historical Overview of the Dime: America's Tenth
Etymology: The name of the coin comes from the French term "dîme" (or the older "disme"), meaning "tithe" or "tenth". This refers directly to the coin's value: ten dimes are equal to one US dollar.
The dime is the standard ten-cent coin of the United States and serves as a fundamental decimal fractional unit within the American monetary system.
Monetary System and Origins
Authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792, the dime was one of the first coins established under the new decimal structure. This reform replaced the complex British system with a dollar-based model. In this system, 1 dime equals 10 cents, and 10 dimes make 1 dollar, meaning the dime is exactly 1/10 of a dollar.
Evolution of Composition and Design
Historically, dimes were struck in silver alloys from 1796 to 1964. However, due to rising bullion prices, silver was removed from circulation coinage in 1965, moving to the modern copper-nickel clad composition used today.
Over the centuries, the dime has featured several iconic designs:
- Draped Bust and Liberty Seated: Early 19th-century allegorical images of Liberty.
- Barber Dime: A late 19th-century classic design.
- Mercury Dime: Featuring a Winged Liberty Head, often mistaken for the Roman god Mercury.
- Roosevelt Dime: Introduced in 1946 to honor Franklin D. Roosevelt's leadership during World War II and his work with the March of Dimes.
Economic and Numismatic Role
The dime remains a vital everyday denomination for retail payments, transit, and vending. For collectors, the series offers immense depth. Early silver issues and the aesthetically praised Mercury dimes are highly sought after. Additionally, pre-1965 issues are widely accumulated for their 90% silver content, while rare dates and mintmarks can reach significant market values.
Ultimately, the dime represents one of the world's earliest and most successful decimal fractional units (1/10), setting a precedent that many national currencies would later follow.