In the quiet workshop of the first United States Mint on a summer day in 1800, a small silver disc was struck with America’s symbols of liberty—becoming one of the earliest dimes ever produced in the young republic. Just twelve years after the ratification of the Constitution, with the nation’s capital preparing to move from Philadelphia to Washington, these dimes emerged during a pivotal moment in American history.
What makes the 1800 Draped Bust Dime particularly fascinating isn’t just its age but its scarcity. Of the mere 21,760 dimes struck that year, only an estimated 250-300 survive today in all grades combined—meaning for every surviving specimen, approximately 70 have been lost to time, use, or the melting pot. When an exceptional AU-58 example sold at a Heritage auction in 2020 for $38,400, it reminded collectors of just how rare these early American treasures truly are.
Specifications
The 1800 Draped Bust Dime was minted with considerable precision for its era, though still showing the technological limitations of early American coinage. Each coin weighs approximately 2.70 grams, though period examples often vary slightly due to the hand-adjusted nature of planchet preparation. The composition is 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper, marking it as part of the “Small Eagle” silver standard that preceded the slightly reduced silver content of later issues.
With a diameter of 19 millimeters, these dimes are noticeably smaller than modern examples (17.91mm). The edge features fine reeding, an anti-counterfeiting measure that was applied separately before striking using a specialized edge-marking machine called a Castaing machine.
When handling these early silver pieces, collectors should be particularly cautious about both cleaning and environmental damage. The high copper content makes them susceptible to toning that ranges from attractive blues and purples to problematic dark patches if improperly stored in high-humidity environments.
Mintage & Mint Marks
The Philadelphia Mint—at that time the only operational U.S. Mint—struck all 21,760 dimes issued in 1800. This modest mintage, recorded in Mint Director Elias Boudinot’s annual report to Congress, reflects both the limited silver deposits available to the early Mint and the still-developing nature of America’s decimal coinage system.
No mint marks appear on these coins, as the practice of adding mint identification only began in 1838 when branch mints at Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans commenced operations. Every authentic 1800 dime was struck in Philadelphia under the direct supervision of Chief Coiner Henry Voigt.
The limited mintage number has been verified through both Mint records and die state analysis by numismatic researchers. According to PCGS Population Reports, fewer than 300 examples have been submitted for certification across all grades, underscoring their true rarity in today’s market.
Grading Standards & Diagnostic Traits
Grading early Draped Bust dimes requires particular attention to strike quality and wear patterns that differ from later coinage. The 1800 dimes typically show weakness in the central portions of both obverse and reverse due to inadequate striking pressure and die technology limitations.
Good-4 to Very Good-8: Little to no remaining detail in Liberty’s hair. The word “LIBERTY” above her head will be partially visible but worn. On the reverse, much of the eagle’s feather detail will be flat, with the shield often appearing as just an outline.
Fine-12 to Very Fine-20: Some strands become visible in Liberty’s hair, especially near the forehead. The drapery at her bust shows limited detail. The eagle’s wing feathers begin to separate visually, and the shield lines become more pronounced.
Extremely Fine-40 to About Uncirculated-50: Most hair strands are clearly delineated, though the highest points at the center of the hair may still show flatness. The letters of “LIBERTY” are sharp. On the reverse, individual feathers are distinct in the eagle’s wings, and the shield lines are clear.
Mint State-60 to MS-63: Full mint luster is present, though often muted by light toning. Strike weakness may still be evident at centers, which is characteristic rather than a detriment for this issue. Even MS examples often show adjustment marks—thin parallel lines created when Mint workers filed excess silver from overweight planchets.
MS-64 and above: Exceptional examples show strong strikes with minimal adjustment marks and attractive toning. The finest known 1800 dimes grade MS-65, with perhaps 5-8 examples known at this level according to combined PCGS and NGC population reports.
A diagnostic trait for authentic 1800 dimes is the position of star 13 on the obverse, which points directly at the curl in Liberty’s hair, and the particular spacing of the date numerals, with the final “0” positioned closer to the bust than on the 1798 issues.
Value by Grade
| Grade | PCGS Retail Value (2025) | Notes |
| G-4 | $1,250-1,500 | Value increases significantly with full “LIBERTY” visible |
| VG-8 | $1,800-2,100 | Most examples show significant wear |
| F-12 | $2,600-3,000 | Dark toning common at this grade |
| VF-20 | $4,250-4,800 | Most commonly traded grade for this date |
| EF-40 | $9,500-11,000 | Often shows adjustment marks |
| AU-50 | $16,000-18,000 | Extremely scarce in this grade |
| AU-58 | $32,000-38,000 | Heritage Auctions sold example for $38,400 in 2020 |
| MS-60 | $45,000-55,000 | Fewer than 30 uncirculated examples believed to exist |
| MS-63 | $75,000-85,000 | Typically shows some striking weakness |
| MS-65 | $150,000+ | Finest known examples; rarely offered for sale |
The value of 1800 Draped Bust Dimes has increased approximately 30% over the past decade, with particularly strong demand for examples grading VF-20 and above. Auction records show that specimens with original surfaces and attractive toning can command significant premiums over the listed values.
Varieties & Errors
Despite its limited mintage, the 1800 dime appears in multiple documented varieties:
JR-1 (Obverse 1, Reverse A): Features 16 berries in wreath with 9 on left and 7 on right. Identifiable by a die crack that extends from the rim through the first “0” in the date. This is the most common variety, representing approximately 60% of surviving examples.
JR-2 (Obverse 2, Reverse B): Shows 17 berries in wreath with 9 on left and 8 on right. The date is positioned slightly higher in relation to the bust than on JR-1. This variety is approximately 30% scarcer than JR-1 and commands a 15-20% premium in equal grades.
“Phantom Date” JR-2: A particularly fascinating sub-variety of JR-2 shows traces of an underlying “1798” date punch visible beneath the 1800 date. This is evident as faint remnants of a “7” visible between the “8” and first “0” in the date. These examples are extremely rare—perhaps 12-15 known—and can command prices 40-60% higher than standard JR-2 specimens.
No true mint errors (such as off-center strikes or double dies) are cataloged for 1800 dimes, though many show the previously mentioned adjustment marks, which are production artifacts rather than errors.
Authentication & Counterfeit Detection
The 1800 Draped Bust Dime has been a target for counterfeiters since the 19th century, with both period and modern fakes known. Authentic examples can be verified through several key diagnostics:
Weight and Composition: Genuine coins should weigh between 2.67 and 2.73 grams. Modern counterfeits often use purer silver (99% vs. the authentic 89.24%), resulting in a slightly different color and toning pattern.
Edge Reeding: Authentic examples show 75-78 reeds around the edge, applied before striking. Many counterfeits show incorrect reed counts or reeding applied after striking, resulting in distorted reed patterns near the rim.
Die Characteristics: All genuine 1800 dimes were struck from one of just two known obverse dies, each with distinctive star positioning. The star closest to Liberty’s forehead (star 1) points directly between two curls, while on counterfeits it often points directly at a curl.
Denticles and Border: Authentic examples show characteristic irregular denticles (the small raised bumps around the coin’s circumference). Modern fakes typically show too-perfect, uniform denticles or incorrect counts.
The simplest authentication test is careful measurement and comparison of key elements. The distance from the top of Liberty’s head to the bottom of the bust should be 13.9-14.0mm on authentic specimens.
Preservation Tips
The 1800 Draped Bust Dime presents unique preservation challenges due to its high copper content and age:
Store these early silver coins in sulfur-free holders designed specifically for early American silver. Standard PVC flips can cause long-term damage, particularly to high-grade examples with original surfaces.
Maintain consistent humidity between 40-50% for optimal preservation. Fluctuations can accelerate toning or, worse, cause copper spotting from the alloy’s significant copper content.
Never clean these coins. Their original patina is not only historically significant but also protects the surfaces from environmental damage. Even professional conservation can reduce value by 30-50% unless performed by a top numismatic conservation service.
When handling, use cotton gloves and hold only by the edges to prevent oils from transferring to the coin’s surface, which can cause uneven toning over time.
For long-term storage, consider encapsulation by a major grading service like PCGS or NGC. Beyond authentication, their holders provide stable environments that minimize environmental exposure.
Notable Auction Results
The auction market for 1800 Draped Bust Dimes has shown remarkable strength over the past decade, with several noteworthy sales:
- January 2022: Stack’s Bowers Galleries sold a PCGS MS-64 example (JR-1 variety) for $168,000, establishing a new record for the date.
- August 2020: Heritage Auctions sold a PCGS AU-58 example with attractive blue and gold toning for $38,400.
- January 2018: A “Phantom Date” JR-2 variety graded PCGS VF-30 realized $22,325 at a Legend Rare Coin Auction.
- September 2015: An NGC-graded MS-63 specimen with CAC approval sold for $64,625 at a Heritage auction, demonstrating the premium commanded by exceptional examples.
- April 2013: A heavily circulated but problem-free Good-6 example sold for just under $1,000, establishing a baseline for even low-grade authentic specimens.
These results demonstrate both the overall strength of the market for early American silver and the particular premium commanded by high-grade and rare variety examples of the 1800 dime.
Collector Value & Outlook
The 1800 Draped Bust Dime occupies a special position in American numismatics, representing both the infancy of the U.S. Mint and the transition period between the 18th and 19th centuries. Several factors contribute to its strong market position:
Historical Significance: As one of the earliest decimal coins struck by the United States, these dimes document America’s monetary development during the Federalist period. The date’s connection to the election of 1800 (Jefferson vs. Adams) and the capital’s move to Washington adds contextual importance.
Absolute Rarity: With fewer than 300 examples known in all grades combined, demand consistently outpaces supply. Even low-grade examples find ready buyers when properly authenticated.
Type Coin Status: For collectors assembling type sets of early American coinage, the 1800 dime represents the Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle design—a relatively obtainable date in a challenging series.
Market trends suggest continued appreciation for quality examples. Over the past two decades, PCGS-graded VF-20 examples have appreciated from approximately $1,500 to the current $4,250-4,800 range—an average annual appreciation of about 5.7%, outperforming many alternative investments.
For collectors considering acquisition, focusing on original, problem-free examples in the F-12 to VF-30 range often provides the best balance of historical integrity, aesthetic appeal, and investment potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my 1800 dime is genuine without professional grading?
Beyond the authentication points mentioned earlier, compare the positioning of stars and date digits with verified examples. Genuine coins have a distinctive “flat” spot at the center of Liberty’s head due to strike weakness. Modern counterfeits typically show more uniform relief across the design. Weight and measurement checks using a precision scale and calipers can also help, as authentic examples fall within a narrow specification range.
Does cleaning really harm the value of my 1800 dime if it’s already worn?
Yes, even for worn examples. Historical coins with original surfaces—even darkly toned ones—command significantly higher prices than cleaned examples. A VG-8 coin with original surfaces might bring $2,000+, while the same coin harshly cleaned might struggle to reach $1,000. If considering conservation, only use services offered by major grading companies.
Are there any affordable ways to collect 1800 dimes?
For collectors with more modest budgets, consider examples with minor problems that have been noted by grading services (like “environmental damage” or “cleaned”). These can sometimes be acquired for 30-50% less than problem-free coins. Another approach is seeking an example of the same design type but from a more common date like 1805, which can be found in similar grades for approximately half the price of the 1800 issue.
How many 1800 dimes might still be undiscovered?
Numismatic researchers estimate that perhaps 50-75 additional examples might still exist unattributed in old collections, family heirlooms, or metal detector finds. However, the discovery rate has slowed considerably, with only 3-5 “new” examples coming to market in the past decade, suggesting most surviving specimens have already been documented.
Should I focus on grade or originality when collecting early American silver?
For 1800 dimes specifically, originality typically trumps technical grade. An original VF-20 example will generally appreciate more consistently than a cleaned EF-40, and will be easier to resell when the time comes. The market increasingly values coins that show honest wear and natural toning developed over two centuries.
For the serious collector of early American coinage, the 1800 Draped Bust Dime represents a tangible connection to the founding era of the United States. Each surviving example has witnessed the entirety of American history, from Jefferson’s presidency through the Civil War, two World Wars, and into our modern age. Their scarcity, historical significance, and steadily increasing market values make them cornerstone acquisitions for advanced numismatists and promising long-term holds for the patient collector-investor.