Prior to 1866, the five-cent coin was the half dime, a small silver piece. Unlike
today, nickel was not in use for U.S. coins, and did not appear until 1866. The half
dime contained very close to five cents′ worth of silver, because Americans insisted
that coinage have high intrinsic value.
The half dime disappeared from Mint production and circulation after 1805. It is
speculated that bankers prefered the Mexican half-real coin, worth one-sixteenth
of a dollar (0.0625) or 6 1/4 cents.
In 1829 the half dime finally reappeared with a very different look: It was slightly
smaller in diameter but the weight remained the same. The Draped Bust design was gone,
it was replaced by a left-facing portrait of Liberty, her curly hair was tucked inside
a mobcap.This likeness is sometimes called the Turban Head, but most people call it the
Capped Bust. The old Heraldic Eagle was replaced by a naturalistic eagle with a shield
superimposed on its breast.
Vital Stats.
Designer: William Kneass
Content: 89.25% silver 10.75% copper
Diameter: 15.5 millimeters
Edge: Reeded
Weight: 1.35 grams
Mint Mark Location: None (all were minted in Philadelphia)
Year/
Mint Mark | Circulation
Strikes |
| 1829 | 1,230,000 |
| 1830 | 1,240,000 |
| 1831 | 1,242,700 |
| 1832 | 965,000 |
| 1833 | 1,370,000 |
| 1834 | 1,480,000 |
| 1835 | 2,760,000 |
| 1836 | 1,900,000 |
| 1837 | 871,000 |
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Capped Bust Half Dime (1829 - 1837)
The designs was not a new one. This basic design had had appeared on some of the
nation′s larger silver coins as far back as 1807. The designs were fashioned by
the German-born Mint engraver John Reich. It is the first half dime with a
denomination on it (5 c).
There are several interesting die varieties, however, only one of them (1837 with
a small “5 C.“) commands a larger premium. The “5 C.“ appeares in large and small
varieties for the years 1835, 1836 and the 1837. The 1835 half dimes not only comes
with large and small dates, it has combinations of dates and denomination sizes.
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