The comprehensive reference, available in the Print Edition, as well as a Web Book. The Web Book represents the complete manuscript of the Print Edition, and is provided without charge. Click the book's cover to the right to enter the Web Book.

This book builds on the extensive experience of the authors, and their multiple decades of collecting this often-neglected and under-appreciated series. This highly-illustrated book presents new insights on 20-cent pieces, and offers the most comprehensive information ever assembled on all aspects of this short-lived coin. It is hoped that this reference will provide existing collectors with a wealth of new information, and instill interest and enthusiasm for an entire new set of collectors as well.

Additions to the book: three supplements have been written to update the book regarding new discoveries since publication. For readers with the Print Edition of the book, each Addendum can be downloaded and printed for insertion your book. In addition, the web book has been updated accordlingly. The three files are:

 

Click to enter Web Book

The Print Edition:
    - Spiral bound, 8-1/2 x 11 inches format
    - 179 pages
    - Nearly 400 photographs
    - ISBN: 978-0-9904593-0-9
    - Price: $ 50.00 postpaid (USA only)

For large quantity orders, or to contact the authors for any reason, please email us at info@doubledimes.com



High-level Table of Contents

1. History of the Series
A detailed history of the series, from Thomas Jefferson's original proposal for a "Fifth" of a Dollar (later called "double disme"), several additional attempts in the 1800s, to the final authorization in 1875, its rejection, and ultimately the abolishing of the denomination in 1878.

2. Design Evolution -- Patterns of 1874-1875
The evolution of the design through the patterns of 1874 and 1875, including the players, the different designs, and communicaton between Mint Director Linderman and Superintendent Pollock. Rarity and collectability information is also discussed.

3. Misplaced Dates
Well known to those who have studied the series, there are surprisingly many instances of misplaced dates (tops of digits below the date in the denticals). This chapter presents a theory on how these misplaced dates may have been created, and evidence is presented to demonstrate that this theory is, at least, plausible.

4. Collecting Double Dimes
People collect this series in many different ways, including by type, by year, by mint, and many others. More and more collectors are building complete sets, and also focusing on varieties. A recent trend of Liberty Seated collectors is to study die marriages. This chapter discusses the different manners in which one can collect twenty-cent pieces, and offers suggestions and options for doing so.

5. Grading
Although the twenty-cent piece is a Liberty Seated coin, grading this series is fundamentally different than grading the other denominations. A different obverse model was used, and the reverse is much more three-dimensional than other Liberty Seated series, necessitating different grading standards. Strike also highly affects appearance. This chapter offers grade descriptions and photos of both well-struck and weakly-struck coins to illustrate the differences.

6. Date and Mintmark Analysis (including all known die marriages)
Along with a brief history for each year, each date and mint is described, including mintages, strike, major varieties, overall availability, and pricing commentary. Following the summary information for each issue, a detailed listing of all known die marriages is presented, with high-resolution photos of identifying die markers, die states, comments on relative availability and rarity ratings.

7. Errors
Double dime errors range from very scarce to extremely rare. This chapter describes and illustrates the different types of errors known to exist on twenty-cent pieces. From minor to spectacular, these blunders are challenging to find.

8. Exonumia
In years past, many things were done to coins, creating a wealth of interesting and unique coin-related collectibles. Love tokens, counterstamped coins, elongated coins, and clothing accessories/jewelry are some of the unusual items made from twenty-cent pieces, and all are scarce to rare. This highly-illustrated chapter also discusses counterfeits as well.

9. Mintages and Survival
This chapter examines the records of the official melting of twenty-cent pieces over the course of many decades, beginning in the 1870s until well into the 20th Century, and the estimates for survivorship of the different issues, leading to the various levels of scarcity seen today.

Appendix - Anecdotes
This Appendix rounds out the book with stories, all involving twenty-cent pieces. From the discovery of discarded dies in Carson City, to the finding of new die marriages, these stories present a different perspective than normally seen in a book about coins. It is about history, and it is about the excitement of discovery.





Copyright © 2013-2016, by Lane J. Brunner and John M. Frost, All rights reserved.