DIME 1860-1891 Legend Obverse
Description
A curious trait of the Dime during this era, is the slight increase in weight in dates minted after 1873. No one knows why, except that the slight increase made the weight an even 2.5 grams. During the same era, the Half Dollar was also changed to weigh an even 25 grams.
The dime underwent a design change in 1860. The Liberty Seated motif was retained on the obverse, but the stars were removed, and in its place UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, formerly on the reverse, was inscribed. The date remained in its regular position below the base of Miss Liberty. The reverse wreath was restyled to a larger format enclosing the denomination expressed as ONE DIME.
A number of scarce issues were made during that span, including Carson City pieces of the early 1870s. Dimes of 1873 and 1874 with arrows at the date constitute a separate type and are discussed in the following chapter.
Dimes of common dates in the 1860-1891 range are readily available in desired grades from Good through AU. Uncirculated pieces
- COIN NAME
- DIME 1860-1891 Legend Obverse
- DESIGNED BY
- Christian Gobrecht
- ISSUE DATE
- 1860-1891
- COMPOSITION
- 0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper
- DIAMETER
- 17.9 mm
- WEIGHT
- 38.4 grains 1860 to 1873 no arrows: 38.58 grains later
- EDGE
- Reeded
- BUS MINT
- 175,889,677
- PROOF MINT
- 25,403
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