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The word "Dime" derives from Latin decima (pars), meaning "a tenth."
The denomination was briefly called a "disme" (DEEM or sometimes DIZ-meh) which was an anglicized version of the French word "dixième" (deez-YEM), again deriving from the Latin decima.Its spelling and pronunciation quickly simplified to the familiar "dime" within a year or two of the coin's introduction.
Interestingly the dime is the only current US coin whose denomination isn't given in dollars or cents. It's a holdover from one of the early proposals for coin denominations based on factors of 10. A "mill" (or mil) was to be the smallest denomination with other denominations being the cent, dime, dollar, eagle, and union; each is worth 10 of the next lower coin.
Unions were never struck, and while gold coins were in fact denominated in eagles their values were still expressed in dollars. The last eagles were struck in 1933, so today only the dime survives as a vestige of that early plan.
What else can I help you with?
Why is a dime called a dime?
A dime is called a dime because it is worth ten cents, and the word "dime" comes from the Latin word "decimus," which means tenth.
Why is the half dime called a half dime?
Because the value of it is worth half the value of a dime.
How many ridges are on a dime?
They are actually called "Reeds" and the dime has 118 of them.
How expensive is it to buy a dime?
10 dollars, that's why it is called a dime.
What is the value of a 1901 wheat dime?
There's no dime called a "wheat dime". There are the famous wheat CENTS, of course, that carry the images of two wheat ears on the back, but a 1901 dime has a wreath on the back and is frequently called a Barber dime after its designer Charles Barber.
What is the value of a 1910 wheat dime?
There's no dime called a "wheat dime". There are the famous wheat CENTS, of course, that carry the images of two wheat ears on the back, but a 1910 dime has a wreath on the back and is frequently called a Barber dime after its designer Charles Barber.
Value of 1936 dime?
a 1936 dime is called a mercury dime. they aren't rare so they are worth around a dollar
What is value of 1917 us dime?
a 1917 us dime is called a mercury dime. its not that rare so it is worth about a dollar
Is there a such thing as Dime-back in football?
there is nickel-back and there is a play type called Dime but I'm not sure if there is a position dime-back
What is the value of an 1853 Mercury dime?
That's off by about 65 years. Mercury dimes were minted from 1916 to 1945. A dime from 1853 would be called a Liberty dime or Liberty Seated dime.
What are dimes called with a wreath circa 1906?
A US dime issued in 1906 would be a Barber Dime.
What is the value of a 1936 silver marquis dime?
There's no coin called a "marquis" dime. If you're thinking of a MERCURY dime, please see the Related Question.
