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EARLY HALF DIME
Early Half Dimes (1794-1837)
The first coin in this series, the 1792 half disme (later the 'Is" was dropped), was most certainly made as
a circulating issue. Harold P. Newlin, in his limited-edition monograph (just 100 copies were printed) A
Classification of the Early Half Dimes of the United States, published in 1883, singled out two favorite
issues for detailed treatment. The first was the 1792 half disme, and the second was the 1802 half dime.
The first half dimes struck at the Philadelphia Mint (the 1792 half dismes were struck in nearby facilities
outside of the Mint) were dated 1794, although the first pieces bearing this date were not struck until
February of the next year. Called the Flowing Hair type by collectors today, these were struck with 1794
and 1795 dates.
In 1796 the Draped Bust design made its appearance, a style which was continued for two years. No half
dimes were coined in 1798 and 1799. The following year, 1800, marked the introduction of a new reverse,
the Heraldic Eagle style.
After 1805, half dime coinage was suspended for more than two decades. When specimens were struck
again in 1829, the design was by John Reich and followed the style of the half dollar motif first introduced
in 1807. This style, called the Capped Bust type, was produced through 1837.
a circulating issue. Harold P. Newlin, in his limited-edition monograph (just 100 copies were printed) A
Classification of the Early Half Dimes of the United States, published in 1883, singled out two favorite
issues for detailed treatment. The first was the 1792 half disme, and the second was the 1802 half dime.
The first half dimes struck at the Philadelphia Mint (the 1792 half dismes were struck in nearby facilities
outside of the Mint) were dated 1794, although the first pieces bearing this date were not struck until
February of the next year. Called the Flowing Hair type by collectors today, these were struck with 1794
and 1795 dates.
In 1796 the Draped Bust design made its appearance, a style which was continued for two years. No half
dimes were coined in 1798 and 1799. The following year, 1800, marked the introduction of a new reverse,
the Heraldic Eagle style.
After 1805, half dime coinage was suspended for more than two decades. When specimens were struck
again in 1829, the design was by John Reich and followed the style of the half dollar motif first introduced
in 1807. This style, called the Capped Bust type, was produced through 1837.
Reference Works
Over the years a number of monographs and books have been devoted to the half dime series, among which are the following:
Breen, Walter H. United States Half Dimes: A Supplement. New York: Wayte Raymond, 1958.
Breen, Walter H. Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Co New York: Doubleday, 1988.
Blythe, Al. The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dimes. Virginia Beach, VA: DLRC Press, 1992.
Newlin, Harold P. The Early Half-Dimes of the United States. Philadelphia: Published b the author, 100 copies, 1883.
Valentine, Daniel W. The United States Half Dimes. New York, 1931.
Over the years a number of monographs and books have been devoted to the half dime series, among which are the following:
Breen, Walter H. United States Half Dimes: A Supplement. New York: Wayte Raymond, 1958.
Breen, Walter H. Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Co New York: Doubleday, 1988.
Blythe, Al. The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dimes. Virginia Beach, VA: DLRC Press, 1992.
Newlin, Harold P. The Early Half-Dimes of the United States. Philadelphia: Published b the author, 100 copies, 1883.
Valentine, Daniel W. The United States Half Dimes. New York, 1931.