The Probert Encyclopaedia of Money

DIME

A dime is small silver-coloured coin valued at 10 cents and used in the USA. Dime, from the French word dixieme meaning a tenth, was expressive of a tenth part of the standard silver dollar. It was at first spelled 'disme', and thus appeared on some trial pieces struck by the United States Mint in 1792. The coin was at first of silver, having been authorized in 1792 (with a weight of 41.6 grains). Coinage was begun in 1796. Its weight was in 1853 reduced to 38.4 grains. There were no issues of dimes during the years 1799, 1806, 1808, 1812, 1813, 1815 to 1819 inclusive, 1824 and 1826.
Research Dime