Number One Dime

Lore & Background

The Number One Dime is the first money Scrooge McDuck ever earned through honest labor. It is the cornerstone of his entire fortune and his most prized possession. Throughout the series, various villains seek to steal it: Magica De Spell, who wants to use it for her magic, and the Beagle Boys, who see it as a key to Scrooge's wealth. Scrooge keeps the dime secure in his Money Bin vault, often displaying it prominently as a reminder of his humble beginnings and the value of hard work. The dime is a silver-colored US ten-cent piece, but its sentimental worth far exceeds its face value.

In Their Own Story

In the DuckTales series, the Number One Dime is the target of numerous schemes. Magica De Spell, an Eastern European sorceress with a raven brother named Poe, constantly plots to steal the dime for her magical purposes. The Beagle Boys, a family of bumbling criminals led by their mother Ma Beagle, also try to snatch it as part of their efforts to rob Scrooge's money bin. Scrooge himself treats the dime with reverence, often checking on it and recounting how he earned it as a young boy in Scotland by shining shoes. The dime's safety is a recurring plot point, driving many adventures and confrontations.

Reader's Guide

The Number One Dime is the spiritual heart of Scrooge McDuck's character and the DuckTales universe. It represents the origin story of the world's richest duck, illustrating that his fortune was not given but earned through sheer determination. While Scrooge has accumulated vast treasures from every corner of the globe, this single coin remains untouchable in terms of sentimental value. It is often treated with reverence by Scrooge and serves as a plot device to remind him—and the audience—of his humble beginnings in Scotland. The dime's presence in the Money Bin signifies that no matter how much wealth one acquires, the first step is always the most important. It stands as a testament to the power of hard work, integrity, and the belief that anyone can build something great from nothing.

Did You Know?

• The Number One Dime is the first money Scrooge McDuck ever earned through honest labor.
• Magica De Spell, a villain with an Eastern European accent, constantly seeks to steal the dime for her magic.
• The Beagle Boys, led by their mother Ma Beagle, also target the dime in their schemes to rob Scrooge's money bin.
• Scrooge keeps the dime secure in his Money Bin vault, treating it as his most prized possession.
• The dime is a silver-colored US ten-cent piece, but its sentimental value far exceeds its monetary worth.