The Liberty Circled Drops is sawn out and then attached above and dipped in gold. This 14kt yellow gold vermeil is measured at 2.5 microns thick over the silver material - much thicker than traditional plating, therefore lasting longer than traditional plating. The French wires are solid sterling silver with 14kt gold vermeil. Liberty dimes or Mercury dimes were minted in the US from 1916 to 1945. The coin designer, Adolph Weinman, wrote that he considered the winged cap on the Lady Liberty a symbol of freedom of thought.