1811 Capped Bust Dime - 1811/09

Coin Details

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Description

This is the 1811/09 overdate variety of the 1811 Capped Bust Dime. Dies were expensive, and a serviceable die left over at the end of a year was often kept and re-dated rather than destroyed: the new digits were punched directly over the old ones. The earlier date survives underneath wherever its strokes fall outside the digits punched over it, which is why an overdate is read from the shapes that do not belong to the date as printed. The effect is in the die, so every coin struck from it carries the same remnant in the same position. The 1811 Capped Bust Dime - 1811/09 is a dime from the Philadelphia Mint, belonging to the Capped Bust Dimes 1809-1837 series. Every 1811 Capped Bust Dime is the 1811/09 overdate, so the issue's mintage of 65,180 is this variety's own. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a mobcap and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. Produced during the earliest years of the United States Mint, when the young republic was establishing its monetary system and coinage traditions. Struck in 89.2% silver, 10.8% copper, weighing 2.7 grams, 18.8 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #4487.