How to Identify the 1804 Draped Bust Dime

What It Is

The 1804 dime belongs to the Draped Bust series (1796-1807), paired with the Heraldic Eagle reverse adopted around 1798. With a low original mintage, it is one of the scarcest and most valuable dates among early United States dimes, and it is consistently ranked among the key dates of the entire dime denomination.

Obverse Design

Liberty is shown in right-facing profile with tied hair and draped shoulders, LIBERTY arching above her head, the date below, and stars around the border, typically 13 by this period, reflecting the standardized star count adopted once the Mint stopped adding a star for every new state.

Reverse Design

The reverse features a Heraldic Eagle bearing a shield on its chest, an olive branch and arrows in its talons, a banner above reading E PLURIBUS UNUM, and clouds with small stars overhead. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the border. Two known reverse die varieties exist for this date, one with 13 stars in the clouds above the eagle and one with 14. Like other coins of this era, no numeral denomination appears on the coin.

Size, Weight, Metal, and Edge

The dime measures about 18.8mm in diameter and weighs roughly 2.7 grams, struck in the same silver-copper alloy used across early U.S. silver coinage, with a reeded edge and no edge lettering.

Mint Marks

No mint mark appears anywhere on the coin; only the Philadelphia Mint struck dimes at this time, as it remained the sole operating U.S. mint through this period.

Telling It Apart From Similar Coins

The Heraldic Eagle reverse separates 1804 and later Draped Bust dimes from the Small Eagle reverse used on 1796-1797 issues. Because the mintage was small, most attribution work for this date relies on comparing die varieties (the star count in the clouds above the eagle, and specific date and letter spacing) against published references rather than relying on the design alone. Specialists also check the spacing between the digits of the date, since genuine dies show a distinct, repeatable pattern.

Judging Condition at a Glance

The earliest wear shows on Liberty's hair above the ear and along the drapery folds at the bust, and on the eagle's head and wing tops on the reverse. Because surviving examples are scarce, even moderately worn, problem-free coins are considered desirable by collectors, and coins with an even strike and clear rims are valued highly regardless of the numerical grade.

Authenticity Red Flags

Given its rarity, the 1804 dime is a common target for date alteration, usually by modifying the final digit of a more common date. Inspect the date closely under magnification for signs of re-engraving, an unnatural surface texture around the digits, or a slightly different color or luster compared to the rest of the coin. Weight and diameter should be verified against the roughly 2.7-gram, 18.8mm standard, and any example lacking a clear ownership history or professional certification should be treated with caution.