Numismatic

1833 Capped Bust Dime VF

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This silver ten-cent piece from 1833 offers a window into the early decades of United States coinage. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, the coin is composed of 89.24 percent silver, containing approximately 0.0715 troy ounces of the precious metal. It represents a fascinating era of American currency, minted during a time when the nation's monetary system was still developing its signature identity. The obverse side presents a left-facing portrait of Liberty, recognizable by her cloth Phrygian cap which is inscribed with her name. Thirteen stars encircle the bust, representing the original colonies, with the year 1833 positioned directly below the portrait. This design, created by John Reich, captures the classical aesthetic that defined early American coinage. On the reverse, an eagle holds a shield upon its breast, grasping an olive branch and arrows in its talons to symbolize peace and defense. The denomination is indicated at the bottom as 10 C., completing a design that saw a total production of 485,000 pieces. Surviving in Very Fine condition, this dime preserves the fine details of Reich's engraving for modern observers to appreciate.