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Ask anyone "What is a five-cent US coin called?", and more
than likely, the reply you'll get is "a Nickel". Of course, that's the correct
answer, but this hasn't always been the case. Prior to the introduction
of the first US nickel in 1866, the five-cent denomination was filled
in the early years of the United States by a
small silver coin called the "Half Dime".
In fact, the first United
States coin minted under the Constitution in appreciable quantities was the
1792 Half Disme (the "s" is "Disme" was
later dropped). This was only a pattern coin, but it was minted amid
great fanfare, with
President and Mrs. Washington on hand to inspect the first
coins off the press. In all, 1500 of the 1792 Half Dismes were minted,
many of which reached general circulation.
The first regular
strike half dimes were dated 1794, featuring a Flowing Hair Liberty (shown
directly below) on the
obverse and a puny eagle on the reverse. Within a couple of years, the
Draped Bust design was ushered in for all US silver coins. For Half
Dimes, this style lasted until 1805 (large eagle reverse adopted in 1800), when production of the five-cent
denomination paused. In 1829, Half Dime minting resumed with the
Capped
Bust type, which lasted until 1837. The Capped Bust type was
the last of what is known in American numismatics as "Early Half Dimes".
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Flowing Hair Half Dime
Specifications |
Diameter: |
Weight: |
Minted: |
Composition: |
Designer |
Edge: |
approx 16.5 mm |
1.35 g |
1794-1795 |
.1076 Cu .8924
Ag |
Robert Scot |
Reeded |
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Coin Photos courtesy of
Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA. |
There are
several key dates in the Early Half Dimes that are viewed with great awe by
collectors. The 1792 pattern coin, of course, is historically
significant and quite valuable. The 1802 is a legendary treasure, and
commands about the highest price of all US half dimes. Genuine examples of
these two half dimes probably won't be found on eBay, unless they're being
listed by a major auction house as part of a highly publicized sale.
Still, just about any of the Early Half Dimes, excluding the Capped Bust type,
are of keen interest to collectors. None of them are considered common
dates. Obtain any of them in the best condition you can afford, and you
should enjoy steady price appreciation over time, as numismatists compete for
your artifacts from the first years of the United States. Don't buy
unless they've been certified by PCGS, NGC, ANACS, or ICG, or are being sold
by a reputable dealer, such as
Jakes Marketplace.
Key date Early Half Dimes are offered for sale below
as eBay auction coins. The left
hand side of each "Sales Box" is value trend data over a very long period of
time for an Early Half Dime coin type example in G-4 condition. The percent annual
increase is computed for comparative purposes. The coin pictured for
sale in the right hand side is not necessarily the same coin as that
represented in the value trend analysis on left hand side, but is of the
same type.
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1794-1795
Fl Hair Half Dime
Condition: G-4
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1796-1797
Dr Bust Half Dime
Condition: G-4
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1795 Value Trends Example
1950: $7.50
1980: $325
1995: $525
2003: $1000
2007: $1000
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1797 16 stars Value Trends
1950: $10.00
1980: $450
1995: $550
2003: $1000
2007: $1000
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% Annual Increase
Since 1950 =
8.96%
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% Annual Increase
Since 1950 =
8.41%
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1800-1805
Lg Eagl Half Dime
Condition: G-4
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1800 Value Trends Sample
1950: $8.00
1980: $300
1995: $425
2003: $700
2007: $700
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% Annual Increase
Since 1950 =
8.16%
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Half Cents
1793-1857 |
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Large Cents
1793-1857 |
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Flying Eagle Cents
1856-1858 |
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Indian Head Cents
1859-1909 |
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Lincoln Cents
1909-present |
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Two and Three
Cents 1851-1889 |
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Shield Nickels
1866-1883 |
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Liberty Nickels
1883-1913 |
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Buffalo Nickels
1913-1938 |
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Jefferson Nickels 1938-present |
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Early Half Dimes
1792-1837 |
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Seated Liberty Half Dimes 1837-1873 |
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Early Dimes
1796-1837 |
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Seated Liberty Dimes 1837-1891 |
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Barber Dimes
1892-1916 |
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Mercury Dimes
1916-1945 |
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Roosevelt Dimes 1946-present |
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Twenty Cents
1875-1878 |
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Early Quarters
1796-1838 |
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Seated Liberty Quarters 1838-1891 |
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Barber Quarters
1892-1916 |
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Standing Liberty
Quarters 1916-1930 |
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Washington
Quarters 1932-present |
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Early Half Dollars
1794-1839 |
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Seated Liberty
Half Dollars 1839-1891 |
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Barber Half
Dollars 1892-1915 |
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Walking Liberty
Half Dollars 1916-1947 |
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Franklin Half
Dollars 1948-1963 |
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Kennedy Half Dollars 1964-Present |
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Early Dollars
1794-1804 |
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Gobrecht Dollars 1836-1839 |
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Seated Liberty Dollars 1840-1873 |
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Trade Dollars
1873-1885 |
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Morgan Dollars
1878-1921 |
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Peace Dollars
1921-1935 |
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Eisenhower Dollars
1971-1978 |
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Anthony Dollars
1979-1981,1999 |
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Sacagawea Dollars
2000-present |
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Presidential Dollars
2007-present |
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Gold Dollars
1849-1889 |
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Early Quarter Eagles 1796-1834 |
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Classic Head Quarter Eagles 1834-1839 |
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Coronet Quarter
Eagles 1840-1907 |
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Indian Head
Quarter Eagles 1908-1929 |
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Three Dollar Gold
1854-1889 |
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Early Half Eagles
1795-1834 |
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Classic Head Half Eagles 1834-1838 |
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Coronet Half
Eagles 1839-1908 |
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Indian Head Half
Eagles 1908-1929 |
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Early Eagles
1795-1804 |
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Coronet Eagles
1838-1907 |
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Indian Head Eagles
1907-1933 |
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Coronet Double
Eagles 1849-1907 |
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St-Gaudens Double
Eagles 1907-1933 |
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The city of Philadelphia was plagued by yellow
fever epidemics throughout much of the 1790s. Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of
the Declaration of Independence, erroneously linked the outbreak to rotting
coffee dumped at the Arch Street wharf, shown above. The Mint was
forced to close its doors during the summer and fall of 1797-99, as only
7000 Philadelphians remained in the city at the height of the epidemic.
Many numismatists agree yellow fever is a reason why no half dimes were
coined in 1798-1799. The cause of yellow fever remained a mystery
until 1900, when U.S. Army doctor Walter Reed proved the disease was carried
by mosquitoes.
Public domain image. |