In Canada, a ten cent piece is worth ten cents and commonly referred to as a dime. The ten cent coin is the smallest coin produced in Canada and has been since 1922. The dime was introduced to Canadian currency in 1858 and has changed its look over the years to reflect the reigning monarch of Canada as well as commemorate certain events. Below is a short guide to ten cent coins from their inception in 1858 until 1899.
1858 10 Cent Coins
In 1858, the ten-cent coin would be considered the younger version Victorian style coin as the obverse side featured a side portrait of Queen Victoria. These coins were struck before the Canadian Confederation and are issued by the British Colonial for the Canadian Province.
The 1858 coins do have rarities that make the coin valuable for a collector. There are varieties of dates where the coin was re-struck from this year as well as coins that can have the date punched originally as 1558 and an 8 punched above the 5 to repair the mistake. The 5 can still be seen which creates the 8/5 variety of this coin. Interestingly enough, no ten cent coins were made from the year 1859 to 1869. Striking would resume in 1870 and in the meantime, the original ten cent piece from 1858 would remain the only dime piece in circulation.
1870 10 Cent Coins
In 1870, minting would begin again for the ten cent coin. The dimes created in 1870 were the first date of 10 cent coins struck after the Confederation took place. Examples of these coins can have a wide 0 instead of a narrow 0 which can lead to quite a valuable coin if in quality condition.
At this point, there would be several years when ten cent coins would not be struck. 1873, 1876-1879, 1895 and 1897 were all years in which the ten cent coin was not produced.
1893 10 Cent Coin
For the dimes minted in 1893, the 3 in the date can be found on some coins to be a rounded top or flat topped. The flat topped version is the scarcer of the two.
Design and Composition
The design and composition of the ten cent coin would stay the same from the first minting in 1858 until 1936. During the 1800s mintings, the coin would feature crossed maple boughs on the reverse side. This design would be placed on ten cent coins, twenty-five cent coins and 50 cent coins during this time frame. The obverse side of the ten cent coin depicts an image Queen Victoria. The image is facing left and is simple in design.
During the 1800s, the ten cent piece would have a mass of 2.32 grams with a diameter of 18.034. The composition of the coin would consist of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.
Dimes from the era of 1858-1899 are a great addition to any collection. Securing the rarer versions of coins can help to build value to any Canadian coin collection or for a dime collection of several country currencies.