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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, 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, this "Flowing Hair" type of the half dime was introduced in 1794. It features on the obverse a portrait of Miss Liberty with her hair flowing freely behind her, giving the design its name. The design is the same as on the larger denomination of the same period and, given that the value and denomination are not written on the coin, they have to be inferred by size only. The design was short-lived and was only issued for two years, after which time it was superseded by the Draped Bust type in 1796. 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. | ||||||
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Variety | Special Strike | |
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Mintage | Issued: unknown (included in total) | |
Details | Special, higher quality strike (not to the level of "Proof" though). Recognised as different from the "Regular Strike" by PCGS, although not listed separately by catalogues. PCGS says: "The Special Strike 1794 Half Dime is somewhat of a mystery, as not too many U.S. Mint documents exist concerning these coins. However, the coins are definitely not regular business strike coins and they are not proofs either. Therefore, the term Special Strike has been assigned to them. These coins have definitely been carefully struck with special care and amazing detail. Very few examples are known making them extremely rare and valuable. " |
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Country | United States |
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Currency | US Dollar |
Coin Type | Half Dime, Flowing Hair |
Issued | 1794 |
Symbol | American Eagle |
Reverse | Liberty, Portrait |
Face Value | 5 (x Cent) |
Circulation Mintage | 7,756 |
Total Mintage | 7,756 |
Current | No; withdrawn 1873 |
Material | 0.8924 Silver |
Designer | Robert Scot, John Eckstein |
Technology | Milled (machine-made) |
Shape | Round |
Orientation | Coin Alignment (Axis 6) |
Size | 16.5000 mm |
Thickness | 1.9500 mm |
Mass | 1.3500 g |
OCC ID | GAVP-OXAC-LPBG-EMDY |
Source | Reference ID |
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Krause, Standard Catalog of World Coins | United States KM# 15 |