Bust Dimes(1796 - 1837)

Draped Bust (1796-1807) The first United States Dimes gave no indication as to their face value! It featured a buxom Miss Liberty with her long tresses neatly tied up in a bow.  The back of the coin showed a somewhat scrawny eagle with wings outstretched standing on a bed of clouds, all surrounded by a wreath.  In 1798, the reverse design changed and mimicked the Great Seal of the United States, thereafter showing  an eagle with outstretched wings and a shield on its breast, clouds and stars above.  This design lasted until 1807.

Capped Bust (1809 - 1837)Any confusion as to the value of this denomination ceased in 1809, when "10 C" was added to the base of the reverse.  The new design showed Liberty facing left, with a Liberty cap on her head.  On the back of the coin, the eagle struck a more natural pose, but still bore a shield on its breast.  Production of this type was sporadic in the early years, but from 1820 to 1837 (when the design ended) every year is represented.