The Half Dime is an American silver coin with a face value of five cents which was minted between 1794 and 1873. These coins were much smaller than dimes in diameter and thickness, appearing to be "half dimes" and are called so from the start, even though until 1837 this was not actually spelled out on the coins themselves.
After the initial issue of a "Half Disme" in 1794 (note the additional S in the name) - which many people consider a pattern, the "Flowing Hair" type was only struck for two years and was replaced by the "Draped Bust" type, then the Capped Bust obverse until 1837. In 1837, the type was replaced by the Seated Liberty type, and composition was changed to 90% silver and 10% copper. The weight was 1.34 grams initially, then changed to 1.24 grams in 1853. The lighter coins were initially marked by having arrow heads on both sides of the date. The arrows stayed in the design until 1855 and were then removed (the coins remained lighter). This design change was also implemented on the one dime, quarter dollar and half dollar coins, which were also made lighter.
The Seated Liberty portrait designs appeared on most regular-issue silver United States coinage from 1836 through 1891. The denominations which feature the Goddess of Liberty in a Seated Liberty design include the half dime, the dime, the quarter, the half dollar, and until 1873 the silver dollar, as well as the short-lived twenty cent piece. The obverse shows Liberty seated on a rock, holding a pole with a Liberty cap on it and supporting a shield. On the reverse, the denomination is spelled as HALF DIME, unlike on earlier or later types.
The silver format of the half dime was discontinued in 1873, but the coins have never been demonetised and are still legal tender. This, of course, is of academic interest only, as their numismatic value is enormously higher than their face value. |
| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the symbolic figure of Liberty clad in a flowing dress and seated upon a rock. In her left hand, she holds a Liberty pole surmounted by a Phrygian cap (a type of cap which in Ancient Rome was worn by freed slaves). With her right hand, she supports the Union Shield, which has thirteen vertical stripes, white and red, with a blue horizontal bar on top. The colours are represented by heraldic hatching (thin lines indicating the colour - horizontal stripes for blue, vertical for red, no stripes for white). Across the shield, a diagonal banner inscribed with the word LIBERTY.
During 1840, the design was slightly modified with additional drapery of Liberty's dress, flowing down from her left elbow.
Between 1838 and 1859, there were thirteen stars around above representing the 13 original states. In 1860 and later, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA instead.
In the exergue below the figure, the date of issue: [year]. Between 1853 and 1855, arrows on both sides of the date indicate a reduction in the weight of the denomination.
The rim is beaded. |
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| Reverse | |
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There were two versions of the reverse design. Both of them display, at centre, the value and denomination HALF DIME (five cents) on two lines, surrounded by a wreath.
The earlier reverse (1837 to 1859), by Christian Gobrecht, has a laurel wreath surrounding the value. Around the outer rim, the name of the country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
The later reverse (1860 to 1873), by James Barton Longacre, has a larger and more detailed wreath of wheat (called a "cereal wreath" by some sources) and no legend around (it was transferred to the obverse).
Coins struck by the Philadelphia Mint have no mint mark. Coins struck by other mints have a mint mark in the form of a small letter above (1838 - 1859, 1870 - 1872) or below (1860 - 1869, 1872 - 1873) the ribbon tying the wreath.
The rim is beaded. |
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