Early Half Dimes

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".   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 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. 1794-1795 1796-1797 1800-1805 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. 1794-1795 Fl Hair Half Dime Condition: G-4     1796-1797 Dr Bust Half Dime Condition: G-4   1795 Value Trends Example 1950:  $7.50 1980:  $325 1995:  $525 2003:  $1000 2007:  $1000 1797 16 stars Value Trends 1950:  $10.00 1980:  $450 1995:  $550 2003:  $1000 2007:  $1000 % Annual Increase Since 1950  = 8.96% % Annual Increase Since 1950  = 8.41% 1800-1805 Lg Eagl Half Dime Condition: G-4       1800 Value Trends Sample 1950:  $8.00 1980:  $300 1995:  $425 2003:  $700 2007:  $700   % Annual Increase Since 1950  = 8.16%
	Half Cents 1793-1857
	Large Cents 1793-1857
	Flying Eagle Cents 1856-1858
	Indian Head Cents 1859-1909
	Lincoln Cents 1909-present
	Two and Three Cents 1851-1889
	Shield Nickels 1866-1883
	Liberty Nickels 1883-1913
	Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938
	Jefferson Nickels 1938-present
	Early Half Dimes 1792-1837
	Seated Liberty Half Dimes 1837-1873
	Early Dimes 1796-1837
	Seated Liberty Dimes 1837-1891
	Barber Dimes 1892-1916
	Mercury Dimes 1916-1945
	Roosevelt Dimes 1946-present
	Twenty Cents 1875-1878
	Early Quarters 1796-1838
	Seated Liberty Quarters 1838-1891
	Barber Quarters 1892-1916
	Standing Liberty Quarters 1916-1930
	Washington Quarters 1932-present
	Early Half Dollars 1794-1839
	Seated Liberty Half Dollars 1839-1891
	Barber Half Dollars 1892-1915
	Walking Liberty Half Dollars 1916-1947
	Franklin Half Dollars 1948-1963
	Kennedy Half Dollars 1964-Present
	Early Dollars 1794-1804
	Gobrecht Dollars 1836-1839
	Seated Liberty Dollars 1840-1873
	Trade Dollars 1873-1885
	Morgan Dollars 1878-1921
	Peace Dollars 1921-1935
	Eisenhower Dollars 1971-1978
	Anthony Dollars 1979-1981,1999
	Sacagawea Dollars 2000-present
	Presidential Dollars 2007-present
	Gold Dollars 1849-1889
	Early Quarter Eagles 1796-1834
	Classic Head Quarter Eagles 1834-1839
	Coronet Quarter Eagles 1840-1907
	Indian Head Quarter Eagles 1908-1929
	Three Dollar Gold 1854-1889
	Early Half Eagles 1795-1834
	Classic Head Half Eagles 1834-1838
	Coronet Half Eagles 1839-1908
	Indian Head Half Eagles 1908-1929
	Early Eagles 1795-1804
	Coronet Eagles 1838-1907
	Indian Head Eagles 1907-1933
	Coronet Double Eagles 1849-1907
	St-Gaudens Double Eagles 1907-1933
	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.

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