Learn More About U.S. Half Dimes

Although the U.S. half dime was produced as a five-cent coin as early as 1792, it was not referred to as a “nickel” at the time because these early U.S. coins were made from silver. It wasn’t until 1866 when the Shield Nickel, the first five-cent coin to be struck from nickel alloy, was referred to as such. In 1792 a very small number of prototypes of the half dime, also known as a half disme, were produced while George Washington was the president. The obverse of these early half dimes features the head of Lady Liberty facing left with the motto “LIB. PAR. OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY” encircling the border, with the date below. These extremely rare half dimes, now an American silver coin collector’s prize, were replaced with a regular issue of the Flowing Hair type design in 1794. Additional designs of the half dime were minted through 1873. 

Designs:

• Flowing Hair Half Dime (1794-1795)
• Draped Bust, Small Eagle Half Dime (1796-1797)
• Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Half Dime (1800-1805)
• Capped Bust Half Dime (1829-1837)
• Liberty Seated Half Dime (1837-1873)