Disme – 1792

Differences Between the 1792 Disme and Half Disme

In 1792, the nation was in dire need of coinage of its own. President Washington was well aware of that fact. He continually shunned all prospective coinage that depicted him or mentioned him by name. But we needed a coinage and fast.

In July, Washington requested some silver coins to be struck. So, the first silver coins that were struck were 1,500 half dismes (pronounced “deems”). But of great importance and historical significance a larger coin – a disme – was also struck, its value being twice that of the half disme.

The Disme’s design is significantly different from that of its well-known little sister, the Half Disme. On the obverse, there is an allegorical portrait of Miss Liberty, facing left, that is seemingly more finished and refined than that on the Half Disme. Miss Liberty on the Disme bears little resemblance to its sibling. She is more refined and more professionally executed.  Around the periphery are the less abbreviated words, “LIBERTY PARENT OF SCIENCE & INDUS.” The date “1792” appears under the bust.

The reverse has a better-executed eagle, flying on a level plane. Inscribed around the eagle is “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and below her is the denomination “DISME”.

(Possibly the Finest Known 1792 Disme, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)

While the Half Disme is well known through the number struck and its direct connection to President Washington, the Disme was the cornerstone of Thomas Jefferson’s belief in the American coinage decimal system. The Disme was really a very limited pattern coin- to see how well a silver coin of this size would strike and appear.

Instead of 1,500 struck and hundreds are known, only THREE silver Dismes are known, making it a rarity among rarities.  There is an additional type, struck in copper of which 15-19 specimens are known to exist.

(The 1792 Disme, struck inn Copper, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)

Expand your collection today and shop our selection of rare American coins.