Capped Bust Dime Values
How Much Capped Bust Dimes are Worth: Capped Bust Dime Values & Coin Price Chart
Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | U-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1800 | P | Plain 4- Stemless Wreath | Red-brown | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | 1200 | 1100 |
| Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1811/09 | (None) Phil | SRS:R3 | -- | $465 | $938 | $1,378.00 | $1,950.00 | $2,600.00 | $4,150.00 | $8,825.00 | $12,313.00 | $30,700.00 | $60,000.00 |
| 1814 | (None) Phil | Large Date | -- | $165 | $212 | $346 | $664 | $880 | $1,660.00 | $2,470.00 | $3,875.00 | $12,625.00 | $23,125.00 |
| 1814 | (None) Phil | Small Date | -- | $184 | $269 | $415 | $830 | $1,232.00 | $2,422.00 | $3,913.00 | $6,088.00 | $19,100.00 | $70,000.00 |
| 1814 | (None) Phil | STATESOF | -- | $625 | $990 | $1,225.00 | $1,950.00 | $3,675.00 | $12,350.00 | $19,500.00 | $25,450.00 | $33,000.00 | -- |
| 1820 | (None) Phil | Large O | -- | $128 | $182 | $284 | $602 | $940 | $2,365.00 | $3,788.00 | $5,475.00 | $20,300.00 | $29,450.00 |
| 1820 | (None) Phil | Small O | -- | $128 | $182 | $284 | $616 | $885 | $1,950.00 | $2,690.00 | $4,315.00 | $13,175.00 | $23,125.00 |
| 1820 | (None) Phil | STATESOF | -- | $310 | $467 | $598 | $1,300.00 | $2,240.00 | $5,950.00 | $10,150.00 | $13,550.00 | $21,300.00 | $67,250.00 |
| 1821 | (None) Phil | Large Date | -- | $115 | $182 | $284 | $602 | $858 | $1,618.00 | $2,470.00 | $3,875.00 | $15,100.00 | $59,750.00 |
| 1821 | (None) Phil | Small Date | -- | $128 | $182 | $284 | $615 | $988 | $2,710.00 | $4,840.00 | $6,750.00 | $19,100.00 | $45,495.00 |
| 1822 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,945.00 | $5,310.00 | $7,660.00 | $10,870.00 | $13,050.00 | $21,850.00 | $30,700.00 | $39,000.00 | $90,500.00 | $112,000.00 |
| 1823/2 | (None) Phil | Small Es | -- | $169 | $260 | $435 | $755 | $1,024.00 | $1,840.00 | $3,650.00 | $6,025.00 | $21,300.00 | $33,000.00 |
| 1823/2 | (None) Phil | Large Es | -- | $183 | $260 | $362 | $678 | $863 | $2,450.00 | $4,425.00 | $8,380.00 | $20,750.00 | $41,800.00 |
| 1824/2 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $173 | $335 | $555 | $1,049.00 | $1,265.00 | $2,270.00 | $3,433.00 | $4,333.00 | $24,650.00 | $51,250.00 |
| 1825 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $128 | $182 | $284 | $602 | $830 | $1,673.00 | $2,553.00 | $4,095.00 | $15,650.00 | $30,000.00 |
| 1827 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $128 | $182 | $284 | $602 | $830 | $1,535.00 | $2,470.00 | $3,875.00 | $18,995.00 | $23,125.00 |
| 1828 | (None) Phil | Large Date | -- | $216 | $332 | $578 | $1,355.00 | $2,240.00 | $5,810.00 | $14,250.00 | $28,500.00 | $60,000.00 | $85,000.00 |
| 1828 | (None) Phil | Small Date | -- | $123 | $170 | $248 | $560 | $938 | $1,808.00 | $3,400.00 | $5,725.00 | $24,995.00 | $35,000.00 |
| 1829 | (None) Phil | Small 10C | -- | $67 | $95 | $130 | $287 | $470 | $1,010.00 | $2,025.00 | $3,570.00 | $7,810.00 | $12,875.00 |
| 1829 | (None) Phil | Curl Base 2 | -- | $8,850.00 | $13,450.00 | $17,600.00 | $24,750.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1829 | (None) Phil | Medium 10C | -- | $73 | $103 | $155 | $390 | $598 | $1,688.00 | $2,863.00 | $4,230.00 | $7,800.00 | $14,250.00 |
| 1829 | (None) Phil | Large 10C | -- | $86 | $141 | $212 | $483 | $794 | $1,535.00 | $3,525.00 | $6,000.00 | $10,650.00 | $25,000.00 |
| 1829 | (None) Phil | Extra Large 10C | -- | $118 | $173 | $238 | $675 | $940 | $2,158.00 | $4,175.00 | $7,300.00 | $11,750.00 | $26,950.00 |
| 1830 | (None) Phil | Medium 10C | -- | $60 | $95 | $130 | $287 | $470 | $1,010.00 | $2,025.00 | $4,220.00 | $15,125.00 | $20,750.00 |
| 1830 | (None) Phil | Small 10C | -- | $67 | $95 | $130 | $287 | $481 | $1,350.00 | $2,545.00 | $3,500.00 | $17,700.00 | $31,250.00 |
| 1830/29 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $83 | $117 | $182 | $415 | $725 | $1,688.00 | $3,715.00 | $6,750.00 | $14,350.00 | $44,495.00 |
| 1831 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $60 | $65 | $130 | $287 | $470 | $1,010.00 | $2,025.00 | $3,070.00 | $6,060.00 | $11,625.00 |
| 1832 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $67 | $95 | $130 | $287 | $470 | $1,030.00 | $2,025.00 | $3,070.00 | $6,060.00 | $31,250.00 |
| 1833 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $67 | $95 | $150 | $287 | $470 | $1,010.00 | $2,159.00 | $3,070.00 | $6,060.00 | $11,625.00 |
| 1833 | (None) Phil | Last 3 High | -- | $67 | $95 | $130 | $287 | $470 | $1,024.00 | $2,135.00 | $3,180.00 | $7,050.00 | $15,350.00 |
| 1834 | (None) Phil | Small 4 | -- | $67 | $95 | $130 | $287 | $470 | $1,010.00 | $2,025.00 | $3,070.00 | $6,060.00 | $11,625.00 |
| 1834 | (None) Phil | Large 4 | -- | $67 | $95 | $130 | $287 | $470 | $1,010.00 | $2,025.00 | $3,070.00 | $6,060.00 | $11,625.00 |
| 1835 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $67 | $100 | $130 | $287 | $470 | $1,010.00 | $2,025.00 | $3,070.00 | $6,775.00 | $17,000.00 |
| 1836 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $67 | $95 | $130 | $287 | $470 | $1,010.00 | $2,025.00 | $3,070.00 | $6,060.00 | $11,625.00 |
| 1837 | (None) Phil | Capped Bust | -- | $67 | $95 | $130 | $287 | $470 | $1,010.00 | $2,025.00 | $3,345.00 | $13,000.00 | $21,300.00 |
History of the Capped Bust Dime
The Capped Bust Dime, minted from 1809 to 1837, marks an important step in early American coinage. The Capped Bust Dime was introduced in 1809, replacing the Draped Bust Dime. The redesign, spearheaded by German-born engraver John Reich, featured a stronger, more detailed depiction of Liberty wearing a cap and an eagle-adorned reverse. By 1837, the Seated Liberty Dime was introduced and gradually replaced the Capped Bust Dime.
The obverse has a left-facing Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap secured with a ribbon inscribed with “LIBERTY.” The reverse features an eagle with outstretched wings, arrows, an olive branch, and a shield on its chest.
The Capped Bust Dime series is divided into two major types: a “large” type (1809–1828) and a “small” type (1828–1837). In 1828, Chief Engraver William Kneass made modest adjustments to the existing Reich design to make it compatible with a new striking method.
- 1809–1828 (Large Type, Lettered Edge): Dimes of this type measured about 18.8 mm. They were struck with an open (or loosely restrained) collar, and the incuse edge lettering (“TEN C.”) was applied by a separate edge-lettering process.
- 1828–1837 (Small Type, Reeded Edge): From 1828 onward, the Mint adopted a closed collar (or “restraining collar”) striking method that applied reeding during the strike. The design’s diameter was reduced slightly (to about 18.5 mm) to maintain legal weight while allowing for greater diameter control and more uniformity.
Rarest Coins in the Series
One of the most valuable coins in the series is the 1822 Capped Bust Dime, valued for its low mintage, extreme rarity in high grades, and limited number of surviving examples.
- 1820 Large 0 & Small 0 Varieties: “Large 0” and “Small 0” refer to two distinct varieties differentiated by the size of the zero in the date. The “Large 0” coins have a noticeably bigger and rounder zero that aligns more closely in height with the other numbers, whereas the “Small 0” variety’s zero is slimmer and doesn’t line up evenly with the “2” in the date.
- 1829 Small Diameter: The first issue of the reduced-diameter design.
- Low mintage years: Coins minted in 1811 and 1822 had the lowest mintage in the series.
- Overdates: Notable overdate examples include 1814/3, 1829/7, 1823/2, and 1824/2.
Types of Collections
- Lettered and Reeded Edge Set: A collection for each design change.
- Die Varieties: This collection is based on the myriad die marriages and overdate varieties in this series, which requires extensive patience and specialized knowledge.
- Complete Set: This set would include every mintmark and hard-to-find error coin from 1809 to 1837.
Beginner vs. Advanced Collecting
Beginner Collecting
Capped Bust Dimes may present challenges for beginners, but collectors can start with affordable, circulated examples available through major auctions, established dealers, or estate collections. Look for clear dates, well-defined eagle features, and distinct detail in Liberty’s cap. Store coins in certified holders to prevent oxidation.
Advanced Collecting
Because many dates are scarce and costly, assembling a complete set is a lengthy project for experienced collectors. Dates such as 1809, 1822, and 1829, along with scarce die varieties, often command significant premiums and may take years to locate in well-preserved condition.
Investment Potential
Many collectors view Capped Bust Dimes as a long-term store of value because of their history, relative scarcity, and steady demand. Dates such as 1822 and 1809 have historically risen in price, and high-grade certified examples often sell for significant premiums. Additionally, varieties such as overdates and repunched numerals can attract additional collector interest.