Numismatic

1831 Capped Bust Dime Fine

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In 1831, the United States Mint in Philadelphia produced a silver dime that captures the spirit of early American coinage. This ten cent piece, struck with a silver purity of 0.8924, contains 0.0715 troy ounces of precious metal. It represents a fascinating era of hand-crafted artistry in early federal money. The obverse of the coin displays Liberty facing left, wearing a traditional Phrygian cap which is inscribed with the word LIBERTY. Thirteen stars encircle this portrait, representing the original colonies, with the year 1831 positioned at the bottom. This iconic depiction was created by the designer John Reich. On the reverse, an eagle is depicted holding an olive branch and arrows in its talons, symbolizing a desire for peace but a readiness for defense. A shield is placed over the eagle's chest. Above the bird, a scroll displays the national motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, while the surrounding inscription reads UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The denomination is indicated at the bottom as 10 C.