How to Identify the Capped Bust Dime
A collector's checklist for the Capped Bust Dime: reading the cap-and-eagle design, confirming size and silver, and spotting look-alikes and fakes.
Read the full Capped Bust Dime encyclopedia entry →
Begin with the defining design. The obverse must show Liberty facing left in a soft cloth cap, the cap band lettered LIBERTY, with loose curls falling to the shoulder and stars around the border above a four-digit date. The reverse must show a bald eagle with a striped shield across its breast, clutching an olive branch and arrows, with a scroll reading E PLURIBUS UNUM overhead and the denomination shown as '10 C.' beneath the eagle. On the pictured coin the date reads 1834.
Next check the physical coin. It is small silver, not copper or nickel: small-size dimes (1828–1837) measure about 18.8 mm and weigh roughly 2.7 grams, while the earlier large-size dimes (1809–1828) run slightly wider. The edge is reeded, and genuine surfaces show soft gray toning. If a supposed Capped Bust dime is bright white, unnaturally sharp, or has a seam around the rim, treat it with caution.
Use the denomination and portrait to rule out neighbors. The eagle-reverse Capped Bust design also appears on the half dime, quarter, and half dollar, so verify size and the '10 C.' legend to confirm you have the dime rather than a similar-looking half dime or quarter. On the following series, the Seated Liberty dime (from 1837) shows a full seated Liberty, not a capped bust, which quickly separates the two types.
Do not hunt for a mint mark. All Capped Bust dimes came from Philadelphia and carry none, so an absent mint mark is expected. Identification instead rests on the date, the star arrangement, the '10 C.' denomination, and—for specialists—the specific die marriage, which many collectors attribute using published variety references.
Finally, weigh authentication risk. Early silver dimes are counterfeited, cast, and sometimes altered from other dates, and cleaning is common. Because die varieties and condition can swing the value dramatically, have any coin you believe to be scarce or high-grade authenticated and graded by a reputable third-party service before buying or selling.
Frequently asked questions
What size and weight should a Capped Bust Dime be?
Small-size coins (1828–1837) are about 18.8 mm across and weigh roughly 2.7 grams in about 89 percent silver, with a reeded edge. Earlier large-size coins (1809–1828) are slightly wider in diameter.
Where is the mint mark on a Capped Bust Dime?
There is none. Every Capped Bust dime was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which used no mint mark, so you should not expect to find one.
How do I tell the dime from the similar half dime or quarter?
They share the same capped-bust obverse and shield-eagle reverse, so use size and the denomination. The dime reads '10 C.' and measures about 18.8 mm, smaller than the quarter and larger than the half dime.
What are the main authentication concerns?
Cast or struck counterfeits, altered dates, and harsh cleaning are all common on early silver. Because varieties and grade heavily affect value, valuable examples should be certified by a recognized grading service.