Numismatic

1840 Liberty Seated Dime XF (No Drapery)

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This silver ten-cent piece from 1840 represents an intriguing moment in early United States coinage. Struck in 90% fine silver, this dime contains approximately 0.0715 troy ounces of precious metal. It belongs to the celebrated Liberty Seated series, a design created by Christian Gobrecht that defined American silver currency throughout much of the nineteenth century. The obverse of the coin depicts Lady Liberty resting on a rock, holding a shield in one hand and a staff topped with a Phrygian cap in the other. This specific 1840 issue is known as the 'No Drapery' variety, distinguished by the absence of extra fabric hanging from Liberty's left elbow, showcasing the original, uncluttered lines of Gobrecht's initial design. The word LIBERTY is clearly inscribed across the shield, with the year 1840 centered below the figure. On the reverse, a delicate wreath encircles the denomination, which is written as ONE DIME. Surrounding the wreath, the legend reads UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Because this coin was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, it does not bear a mint mark, a traditional practice for the nation's primary minting facility during this era. Finding this coin in Extra Fine condition offers a remarkably clear look at these early design details.