1830 Capped Bust Dime

The story of the 1830

Output at Philadelphia slipped to 510,000 in 1830, from 770,000 the year before. In 1831 the figure was 771,350.

No other mint struck it for circulation that year, so every 1830 you find is from Philadelphia. In the whole series, its mintage sits closest to the 1832 (522,500) and the 1833 (485,000).

Across Philadelphia's 20 Capped Bust Dime issues, the hardest to find is the 1809 with 51,065 made. The 1830 is one of the easier ones. Within the 1830s it's 3rd smallest of 8, between the 1833 (485,000) and the 1832 (522,500).

More on the 1830

Philadelphia delivered 510,000 dimes in 1830. Some were struck from a die first dated 1829 and corrected to 1830, the 1830/29 overdate. On those coins traces of the 2 and 9 show under the 3 and 0. Reverse dies with different sizes of 10 C. were also used.

The overdate is the variety most people look for. It needs a good magnifier and a coin that is not too worn, since the traces are faint. Normal 1830 dimes are among the more available Small Size dates. Output in these years was steady, with 1830 between the 770,000 of 1829 and the 771,350 of 1831. To check an 1830, look at the last two digits of the date, then compare the size of the 10 C. with the letters around it. LIBERTY on the cap band tells you about the grade. The border of beads should be even all the way around.

The close collar and a smaller dime (1828 to 1831)

In 1828 the Mint began striking dimes in a close collar, a steel ring that held the planchet as it was struck. The collar formed the reeded edge and gave every coin the same diameter. The new dimes are smaller and a bit thicker, about 18.5 millimeters across, with a raised rim and a row of small beads inside it. The design itself stayed the same, with the motto still on the reverse.

Philadelphia struck 125,000 dimes in 1828, in both the old Large Date style and the new Small Date reduced size. The 1828 is the scarce date of this group. Output rose to 770,000 in 1829. That year has several varieties, including the rare Curl Base 2, where the 2 in the date has a curled foot. There are also Small, Medium and Large 10 C. versions. The 510,000 dimes of 1830 include an 1830/29 overdate. In 1831 the Mint struck 771,350.

These coins look neater than earlier dimes because of the close collar, so they are a good place to start a Capped Bust set. For an 1828, check whether yours has the old wide rim and long denticles or the new beaded border. For an 1829, look at the base of the 2 with a magnifier. Collectors call the two styles the Large Size and Small Size types.