Learn More About U.S. Bust Dimes

Bust dimes featuring the head of Lady Liberty were first produced by the U.S. Mint in 1796, with the first type being the Draped Bust dime. That right-facing portrait with flowing hair on the obverse remained the same until 1807, but the Draped Bust series had two reverses: the Small Eagle until 1797, and the Heraldic Eagle from 1798 through 1807. In 1809, the Mint began producing a new Capped Bust design of the U.S. dime with Lady Liberty facing left and wearing a cap with the word “LIBERTY” embellished across the cap’s bottom. The reverse side of the Capped Bust dime features a bald eagle grasping three arrows and an olive branch. Interestingly, the Capped Bust dime was the first dime to state its value. The Bust dime was replaced with the Seated Liberty dime in 1837.