How a 1838 “Partial Drapery” Dime Can Spark a Lifelong Love of History in Your Kids

There’s something almost magical about placing a genuine artifact from 1838 into a child’s hand and watching their face change. I’ve been collecting coins for over thirty years, and I can tell you — nothing I’ve ever done as a parent has sparked more curiosity, more questions, or more genuine excitement than sharing my passion for numismatics with my kids. When my daughter first held an 1838 Seated Liberty dime, she turned it over slowly, squinted at the worn but still visible details, and asked, “Did a kid my age carry this in their pocket?” That question — that immediate, personal connection across nearly two centuries — is exactly why I believe every collector-parent should consider starting a coin collection with their children. And varieties like the 1838 “partial drapery” dime (Fortin-108a) are the perfect place to begin.

Why Coins Are the Ultimate Teaching Tool

Textbooks can tell children that the United States Mint began producing Seated Liberty coinage in 1837. But when a child holds an actual 1838 dime — feeling its weight, examining the tiny details under a loupe, and learning that this small silver disc was minted just 71 years after the Declaration of Independence — history transforms from an abstract concept into something tangible and real.

In my experience, tactile learning is one of the most powerful methods for engaging young minds. Coins are uniquely suited to this approach because they are:

• Portable and durable — Unlike fragile artifacts, coins can be handled (with care) without significant risk of damage, making them ideal for young learners.
• Rich in historical context — Every coin tells a story about the era in which it was minted, the technology available, and the artistic sensibilities of the time.
• Affordable entry points — You don’t need to spend a fortune to begin. Many historically significant coins can be acquired for modest prices, making collecting accessible to families on any budget.
• Infinitely expandable — A collection can grow with a child’s curiosity, from a single coin to a comprehensive set spanning decades or even centuries.

The 1838 “Partial Drapery” Dime: A Case Study in Educational Collecting

The coin at the center of this discussion — the 1838 Seated Liberty dime with the “partial drapery” variety, attributed as Fortin-108a — is a fascinating example of how a single coin can open the door to multiple layers of learning. Let me walk you through why this particular variety is so compelling, both as a collectible and as an educational tool.

Understanding the Seated Liberty Design

The Seated Liberty design, created by Chief Engraver Christian Gobrecht, first appeared on U.S. silver coinage in 1837. It features Lady Liberty seated on a rock, holding a liberty pole topped with a Phrygian cap — a symbol of freedom with roots in ancient Rome. For children, this imagery is a springboard into discussions about:

• Classical symbolism and its influence on American iconography
• The role of women in national symbolism (Liberty, Justice, Columbia)
• The artistic process of engraving dies by hand in the 1830s

What Makes the “Partial Drapery” Variety Special

The 1838 “partial drapery” designation refers to a specific die variety in which additional drapery lines appear on Liberty’s elbow area, distinguishing it from earlier die states. In the forum discussion, collectors noted that this variety is likely the result of die clashing — a phenomenon where the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them, transferring design elements from one die to the other. This is a wonderful teaching moment for kids.

You can explain to a child that in 1838, the minting process was entirely mechanical and operated by hand-fed machinery. When the dies clashed, it left marks that were then transferred to every subsequent coin struck by those dies. This means that every 1838 “partial drapery” dime in existence carries the fingerprint of a specific moment in the minting process — a moment when something went slightly wrong, and the result was a variety that collectors prize nearly two centuries later.

As one forum contributor noted, this is “probably more of a die state than a die variety,” but PCGS recognizes it, which gives it official standing in the numismatic community and adds to its collectibility. This distinction between die states and die varieties is itself a valuable lesson in scientific classification and how experts categorize the natural world.

The Fortin Attribution System

For older children and teenagers, the Fortin attribution system offers an introduction to the scholarly side of numismatics. Kevin Fortin’s comprehensive die variety attribution system for Seated Liberty dimes assigns unique identifiers (like Fortin-108a) to specific die states and varieties. Teaching a child to look up a coin in a reference guide and identify its specific variety is essentially teaching them the scientific method:

1. Observe — Examine the coin carefully under magnification.
2. Hypothesize — Form an initial guess about the variety based on visible characteristics.
3. Research — Compare the coin to published references and images.
4. Conclude — Confirm or revise the attribution based on evidence.

Starting a Coin Collection for Kids: Practical Tips

Over the years, I’ve helped dozens of families start coin collections with their children. Here are the strategies that work best, drawn from both my personal experience and the collective wisdom of the collecting community.

Start with a Theme

Rather than buying random coins, choose a theme that connects to your child’s existing interests. Some ideas include:

• Presidential connections — Coins minted during specific presidential administrations
• Statehood — Coins from the year your state joined the Union
• Design evolution — Tracing how a single denomination changed over time (e.g., Seated Liberty to Barber to Mercury dimes)
• Variety collecting — Hunting for different die varieties within a single date, much like the Fortin-108a

Teach Proper Handling from Day One

This is non-negotiable. Before handing a child their first coin, establish these rules:

1. Always hold coins by the edges, never the faces.
2. Handle coins over a soft surface (a towel or padded mat) to prevent damage from drops.
3. Wash and dry hands thoroughly before handling.
4. Use a magnifying glass or loupe to examine details rather than bringing the coin close to the eyes.
5. Store coins in proper holders — flips, capsules, or albums designed for numismatic storage.

These habits, instilled early, will serve a young collector for a lifetime.

Use Technology to Enhance Learning

Today’s children are digital natives, so use technology to deepen their engagement. The forum discussion about the 1838 dime began with iPhone photographs — and while the images had some limitations (as one collector noted, the greenish glare in the obverse right field looked “excessively saturated”), they were sufficient for attribution purposes. Encourage your child to:

• Photograph their coins and create a digital catalog
• Use online databases like PCGS CoinFacts or NGC Coin Explorer to research varieties
• Join kid-friendly numismatic forums or social media groups
• Watch YouTube channels dedicated to coin collecting and history

Addressing Condition and Authenticity: A Lesson in Critical Thinking

One of the most valuable skills a young collector can develop is the ability to assess a coin’s condition and authenticity. The forum discussion about the 1838 dime offers a perfect real-world example of this process in action.

The PVC Question

One collector raised a concern about PVC (polyvinyl chloride) contamination — a common issue with coins stored in certain plastic flips and holders. PVC damage appears as a greenish, sticky residue that can permanently damage a coin’s surface over time. The original poster acknowledged the greenish glare in the photographs but attributed it to lighting. Another collector noted that if PVC is present, it’s “easily rectified with a bit of acetone” — a solvent that can safely remove PVC residue without harming the coin’s metal surface.

This exchange is a wonderful teaching opportunity. You can explain to a child that:

• Coins are chemical objects that interact with their environment over time
• Proper storage is essential to preserving a coin’s condition and numismatic value
• Even experienced collectors sometimes disagree about what they’re seeing — and that’s okay
• Conservation techniques (like acetone treatment) exist to address certain types of damage

Scratches, Patina, and the Subjectivity of Grading

The forum discussion also touched on the coin’s surface condition. One collector mentioned “a couple of wispy hairline scratches” that “don’t distract overall,” while another praised the patina. This is a perfect illustration of how coin grading involves both objective criteria and subjective judgment.

For young collectors, this is an important lesson: not all damage is equal, and the overall eye appeal of a coin matters as much as any individual flaw. You can teach your child to evaluate coins using these criteria:

• Strike quality — How well were the design details impressed into the planchet?
• Surface preservation — Are there scratches, marks, or other post-mint damage?
• Luster — Does the coin retain its original mint bloom?
• Toning/Patina — Has the coin developed attractive natural toning, or are there unsightly stains?
• Eye appeal — The overall impression when you look at the coin as a whole

The Rarity Factor: Why Low Population Varieties Matter

One of the most exciting aspects of the 1838 “partial drapery” dime is its scarcity. As one forum contributor pointed out, “the population is low for this variety.” This is a concept that resonates deeply with children — the idea that they might possess something that very few other people in the world own.

Understanding Population Reports

PCGS and NGC publish population reports that show how many examples of a given coin (in a given grade) have been certified. For rare varieties like the Fortin-108a, the population might be vanishingly small — perhaps only a handful of examples in all grades. You can use population reports to teach children about:

• Supply and demand — Basic economics in action
• Survivorship — Of the thousands of dimes originally minted, how many survive today, and why?
• Condition rarity — A coin might be common in low grades but extremely rare in mint condition or high grades

To Grade or Not to Grade?

The forum discussion raised the question of whether to submit the coin to PCGS for certification. One collector suggested it might be worth submitting given the low population, while another recommended enjoying it raw. This is a genuine dilemma that even experienced collectors face, and it’s a great way to teach children about decision-making and risk assessment.

The factors to consider include:

• The cost of certification versus the potential increase in numismatic value
• Whether the coin’s condition justifies the expense
• The personal satisfaction of owning a certified rarity versus the pleasure of holding an uncertified piece of history
• The scratches mentioned in the discussion — would they result in a lower grade that diminishes the coin’s eye appeal?

Die State and Remarriage Studies: Advanced Learning for Teens

For older children and teenagers who have developed a serious interest in numismatics, the 1838 dime offers an entry point into the advanced study of die states and die marriages. As one collector noted, this is “a date in the series that is well worth die-state and remarriage studies.”

What Are Die States?

A die state refers to the condition of a specific die at a particular point in its working life. As a die is used to strike thousands of coins, it gradually deteriorates — developing cracks, rust, or other imperfections that are transferred to the coins. By studying the progression of die states, collectors can determine the approximate order in which coins were struck.

What Are Die Marriages?

A die marriage refers to the specific pairing of an obverse die with a reverse die. Since the Mint used multiple dies simultaneously, different combinations produced subtly different coins. Identifying die marriages is like solving a puzzle — and it’s the kind of analytical challenge that bright teenagers find deeply engaging.

Making It Personal: Connecting Coins to Family History

One of the most powerful ways to engage children with coin collecting is to connect coins to their own family history. An 1838 dime was minted during the presidency of Martin Van Buren, in an era when the United States was still a young and rapidly expanding nation. Ask your child:

• What were our ancestors doing in 1838?
• Did anyone in our family live in the United States at that time?
• What was life like for an ordinary American family in the 1830s?
• How far would a dime go in 1838? What could it buy?

These questions transform a small silver coin from a mere collectible into a window on the past — a tangible connection to the lives of people who lived and worked and dreamed nearly two hundred years ago. Provenance, after all, isn’t just about a coin’s ownership history. It’s about the human stories that orbit around it.

Actionable Takeaways for Parents and Educators

If you’re ready to start using coins as educational tools, here’s a step-by-step plan:

1. Begin with a single coin — Choose something affordable, historically interesting, and visually appealing. An 1838 Seated Liberty dime in well-circulated condition is an excellent starting point.
2. Research together — Sit down with your child and look up the coin online. Read about its history, its designer, and the era in which it was minted.
3. Examine the coin carefully — Use a loupe or magnifying glass. Point out the design elements, the date, the mint mark (or lack thereof — the 1838 dime was struck in Philadelphia, which did not use a mint mark at that time).
4. Discuss what you see — Is the coin worn? Is there toning? Are there any unusual features? If you’re looking at a variety like the Fortin-108a, point out the specific characteristics that identify it.
5. Store it properly — Invest in a quality holder and teach your child why proper storage matters for long-term preservation.
6. Expand gradually — Add new coins over time, building a collection that reflects your child’s growing interests and knowledge.
7. Connect with the community — Attend coin shows, join a local coin club, or participate in online forums. The numismatic community is welcoming to young collectors, and the social aspect of the hobby can be just as rewarding as the collecting itself.

Conclusion: A Small Coin with a Big Story

The 1838 “partial drapery” Seated Liberty dime (Fortin-108a) is far more than a collectible — it’s a portal to the past. From its origins in the Philadelphia Mint’s clashed dies to its survival through nearly two centuries of American history, this small silver coin carries within it lessons about art, technology, economics, chemistry, and human ingenuity. The forum discussion that inspired this article — with its careful observations about toning, PVC contamination, scratches, patina, and attribution — is itself a microcosm of the kind of critical thinking and collaborative inquiry that coin collecting fosters.

For children, the experience of holding such a coin is transformative. It makes history real in a way that no textbook or documentary ever could. It teaches patience, attention to detail, respect for objects, and the value of research. And for parent-collectors like me, there is no greater joy than watching a child’s eyes light up as they hold a piece of the past and begin to understand that history is not just something that happened — it’s something that endures, in the palm of their hand.

Whether you choose to pursue the Fortin-108a variety specifically or simply begin with any Seated Liberty dime from this remarkable era, you’ll be giving your child a gift that lasts far longer than the coin itself: a lifelong curiosity about the world and the people who came before us.

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