1821 Capped Bust Dime

The story of the 1821

Philadelphia made 1,186,512 in 1821, up from 942,587 in 1820. In 1822 the figure was 100,000.

No other mint struck it for circulation that year, so every 1821 you find is from Philadelphia. In the whole series, its mintage sits closest to the 1836 (1,190,000) and the 1827 (1,215,000).

Across Philadelphia's 20 Capped Bust Dime issues, the hardest to find is the 1809 with 51,065 made. The 1821 is one of the easier ones. Within the 1820s it's 8th smallest of 9, between the 1820 (942,587) and the 1827 (1.2 million).

More on the 1821

In 1821 the Mint struck 1,186,512 dimes, the first time dime production passed one million in a single year. Only the 1827 topped it among the large size dates. The 1821 comes in Large Date and Small Date varieties, the result of different punches used on different dies. Telling them apart is easiest with a picture of each next to your coin.

Because so many were made, the 1821 is a practical choice for collectors who want an early Capped Bust dime in decent condition. It contrasts sharply with the next year, when output fell to 100,000 and produced the key of the type. Survivors of 1821 turn up in every grade from heavily worn to the occasional uncirculated piece. When you look at one, check the size of the date, the cap band for LIBERTY and the reverse for detail in the eagle's feathers. Worn but problem-free examples are not hard to find, so there is no need to settle for a damaged one.

A long gap and the 1822 (1815 to 1822)

After 1814 the Mint struck no dimes for five years. Foreign silver coins served as small change and depositors wanted half dollars instead. Dime production returned in 1820 with 942,587 coins, the largest total to that date. Like the 1814, the 1820 includes a STATESOFAMERICA variety where the words of the legend run together.

Philadelphia struck 1,186,512 dimes in 1821, the first dime mintage above one million. Then the total fell to just 100,000 in 1822, the key of the large size years. The 1822 is rare in every grade and a significant rarity even when worn.

Dimes of this period still have the open collar look: the rims vary in width and the denticles around the edge are long and uneven. Stars and date digits were punched into each die by hand, so their size and spacing vary from die to die. Collectors attribute the varieties by JR numbers. For an 1822, check the date carefully under magnification. An 1820 or 1821 is much more available and a good way to own an early Capped Bust dime. Proofs of a few dates of the 1820s were struck in tiny numbers, probably as presentation pieces. Only a handful exist. The gap from 1815 to 1819 is the longest break in dime production of the Capped Bust years. Check the reverse spacing and the edge reeding too.