Numismatic

1821 Capped Bust Dime Large Date AG

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This silver ten-cent piece from 1821 offers a tangible connection to the early decades of United States coinage. Struck in the Philadelphia Mint, this Capped Bust dime is composed of 89.24 percent silver, containing approximately 0.0775 troy ounces of precious metal. Having survived over two centuries, this coin displays the honest wear of an Almost Good grade, reflecting its extensive journey through early American commerce. The obverse features a portrait of Liberty facing left, wearing a traditional Phrygian cap inscribed with her name. Thirteen stars representing the original colonies encircle the bust, with the date 1821 clearly visible below. John Reich designed this classic imagery, which came to define the look of American silver coinage during this era. On the reverse, Reich's design displays an eagle with wings spread, clutching a bundle of arrows and an olive branch in its talons. A protective shield rests upon the eagle's chest, completing a powerful early American motif that speaks to the nation's early identity and aspirations.