Semi-Numismatic

1832 Capped Bust Dime Good

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The year 1832 saw the creation of this silver ten-cent piece, a striking representative of early United States coinage. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this dime belongs to the celebrated Capped Bust series, a design era that captures the aesthetic spirit of a young republic. With a silver purity of 0.8924, each of these dimes contains 0.0775 troy ounces of precious metal. On the obverse, the design by John Reich presents a left-facing Liberty. She wears a traditional Phrygian cap, a classic symbol of freedom, inscribed with her name. Thirteen stars encircle her portrait, representing the original colonies, with the date 1832 positioned clearly at the bottom. This imagery offers a window into the symbolic language of the early nineteenth century. The reverse side displays a heraldic eagle clutching an olive branch and arrows in its talons, representing a desire for peace paired with a readiness for defense. A shield is draped across the eagle's chest, completing a powerful national emblem. Out of an original mintage of 522,500 pieces, surviving specimens in Good condition show honest wear from their time in circulation, making them fascinating historical survivors.