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Half Dimes

half dimes

The United States Half Dime coin has a fascinating history that spans over two centuries. It all started in 1792 when the U.S. Congress passed the Coinage Act, which authorized the minting of the nation’s first coins, including the Half Dime. The Act specified that the Half Dime should be made of 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper, and it should have a weight of 1.35 grams and a diameter of 15.5 millimeters. The first Half Dime coins were struck in 1792, but they were not released for circulation until 1794. These early Half Dimes featured a design known as the “Flowing Hair” type, which depicted a bust of Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse. These coins were minted in limited quantities and are extremely rare today. In 1796, the design of the Half Dime was changed to the “Draped Bust” type, which featured a different portrayal of Liberty on the obverse and an eagle with outstretched wings on the reverse. This design continued to be used until 1805 when it was replaced by the “Capped Bust” type, which featured a more mature bust of Liberty wearing a cap on the obverse and an eagle with a shield on the reverse. In 1829, the design of the Half Dime was changed once again to the “Seated Liberty” type, which featured a seated figure of Liberty on the obverse and an eagle with a shield on the reverse. This design remained in use until 1873 when the Half Dime was discontinued.

During its years of production, the Half Dime faced several challenges, including issues with counterfeiting, hoarding, and melting for silver content. In 1853, the weight of the Half Dime was reduced to 1.24 grams in an attempt to discourage melting, but this change did not significantly impact the coin’s circulation. The Half Dime also played a role in American history beyond its numismatic value. During the Civil War, Half Dimes were used to purchase postage stamps and newspapers due to the scarcity of small denomination coins. Additionally, during the 19th century, Half Dimes were popularly used in the American West for small transactions, such as buying a drink at a saloon or paying for a stagecoach ride.