Half Dimes

The first half dimes were produced in 1792, and ironically were coined before the US Mint was constructed.  These coins were minted at a time when both the US Mint and a newly established decimal system was brought into the colonies.  This was also a time when the colonies were breaking away from England rule and finally standing on their own two feet.  The half dimes were one of the first silver issued coins minted at the Philadelphia Mint.

Flowing Hair Type (1794 - 1795)

Designed by Robert Scot, the Flowing Hair Half Dimes features the head of Lady Liberty facing to the right.  Fifteen stars surround the head with Liberty written above her and the date below.  On the reverse of the coin Olive branches surround an eagle the United States of America written around the outer rim of the coin..  There was no denomination on the coin, and the denomination didn't appear on the coin until 1829.  The weight of the coin was about 1.35 grams, had a composition of .8924 silver, and .1076 copper.  The coin had a diameter of 16.5 millimeters, and was minted in Philadelphia.

Draped Bust Type ((1796 - 1797)Small Eagle /Draped Bust Type (1800 - 1805) Heraldic Eagle Reverse
       
The Draped Bust Type Half Dimes had two variations, the small eagle reverse above and the heraldic eagle reverse below.  Both designs were by Robert Scot, and since the designs of the Flowing Hair Type were criticized for its small eagle, a better design was needed.  The design portrays Lady Liberty facing to the right with 15 stars to the left and right of her.  LIBERTY was written above her and the date was below. The reverse changed between the small eagle design, which is above with an eagle surrounded by olive branches and the United States of America around the rim.  And the Heraldic Eagle below, which portrays a large eagle with outstretched wings and the Union Shield on its breast.  The Eagle is clutching thirteen arrows and an olive branch, and there are thirteen stars below an arc of clouds.  United States of America is around the outside rim of the coin.  The coin weighed 1.35 grams, had a composition of .8924 silver and .1076 copper.  The half dimes had a diameter of 16.5 millimeters, a reeded edge, and was minted in Philadelphia.
Capped Bust Type (1829 - 1837)

The Capped Bust Type Half Dimes were designed by William Kneass, in a time when world poverty was at a high, and when Andrew Jackson was President of the United States.  This half dimes took a little different look with a different bust of Lady Liberty facing to the left.  She is wearing a headdress inscribed with Liberty, and thirteen stars surrounding her with the date below her.  On the obverse of the half dime shows a different look of the American eagle and the union shield.  The United States of America is written around the eagle and E. Pluribus Unum on a ribbon slightly above the eagles head.  The weight of the coin was 1.35 grams, with a composition of .8924 silver and .1076 copper.  The half dimes had a diameter 15.5 millimeters and were coined at the Philadelphia Mint.
Liberty Seated Type (1837 - 1873)
   
The Liberty Seated Type was designed by Christian Gobrecht in 1837.  This new design was a new and improved and the old days of eagles and the portrait of Lady Liberty gave way to a Liberty seated, and the words Half Dime encircled within a wreath.  There were four varieties of the this dime, which we will not go into here.  Look into your price guides and collector books to look at these varieties.  The Liberty Seated Half Dimes weighed 1.3 grams, had a composition of .9 silver and .1 copper.  They had a diameter of 15.5 millimeters, a reeded edge, and were minted in Philadelphia and New Orleans.