Number One Dime

Lore & Background

The Number One Dime is the very first coin Scrooge McDuck earned, a fact that makes it the cornerstone of his entire financial empire. Throughout the series, it is established that this dime is more than just money; it is the physical representation of Scrooge's core identity. Magica De Spell, a powerful sorceress with an Eastern European accent, is obsessed with stealing it. She believes that by melting the dime down with her own amulet, she can gain control of Scrooge's vast fortune. The Beagle Boys, a family of bumbling criminals led by their mother Ma Beagle, also frequently target the dime, hoping to use it to crack Scrooge's financial security. Scrooge himself treats the dime with near-religious reverence, often keeping it on his person or in a secure location within his Money Bin, ready to defend it at a moment's notice.

In Their Own Story

The Number One Dime is not just a plot device; it is the emotional core of many of Scrooge's adventures. In the series, Magica De Spell's relentless pursuit of the dime drives several episodes, where she uses her magic to transform into other characters, like Mrs. Beakley, to get close to Scrooge. Her brother, Poe, who was transformed into a raven, often assists her. The dime's importance is also highlighted in episodes where Scrooge's past is explored, showing how he earned it through hard work and ingenuity, such as by creating shoe-shining machines and learning to 'work smarter not harder.' The coin serves as a constant reminder of his humble beginnings in Scotland, before he came to America, and the values that made him successful. It is the one thing he will never sell, trade, or gamble, because it represents the very essence of who he is.

Reader's Guide

For anyone seeking to understand the Number One Dime, remember that its power is symbolic, not magical. It is a silver US Dime, but its true value lies in what it represents: the first money earned by Scrooge McDuck. To protect it, Scrooge keeps it either on his person or in a highly secure location within his Money Bin. Villains like Magica De Spell and the Beagle Boys will go to great lengths to steal it, often using disguises, magic, or brute force. The dime is never to be spent or used as currency; it is a relic of Scrooge's past and a talisman of his success. When handling it, treat it with the same reverence Scrooge does, as it is the one object that can truly shake his confidence if lost.

Did You Know?

• Magica De Spell, who has an Eastern European accent, seeks to steal the Number One Dime to melt it with her amulet and gain Scrooge's fortune.
• The Number One Dime is so important to Scrooge that he keeps it either on his person or in a secure location within his Money Bin.
• Magica De Spell has a brother named Poe, who in the 1987 series was transformed into a raven, but in the 2017 reboot is a raven who was transformed into a human by Magica's magic, remaining a raven in form for most of hi
• The Beagle Boys, a family of criminals led by their mother Ma Beagle, also frequently target the Number One Dime in their attempts to rob Scrooge.
• The dime represents the first money Scrooge earned, marking the start of his journey from a poor Scottish immigrant to the richest duck in the world.