HALF DIME 1860-1873 Legend Obverse

Description

In a farewell bid to the Half Dime, 10,040 Proof coins were struck. 1873 marked the last date of mintage as the mint made way for the Nickel Five Cent Piece. In the half dime (and also the dime) series a modification to the design occurred in 1860. The Liberty Seated motif was retained as the central obverse design, but the peripheral stars were eliminated in favor of the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, which previously had appeared around the border of the reverse. The date remained below Liberty. The reverse wreath was restyled to a larger format without lettering at the border, enclosing the denomination expressed as HALF DIME.

Generally, coins in grades from Very Good to AU are easy to find in the common dates. Uncirculated pieces are harder to find, and superb Uncirculated half dimes are quite scarce.

Valuation

Proofs were issued to collectors and are generally available. Scattered among the common dates in the series are several scarce varieties, including several of the Philadelphia Mint issues.

COIN NAME
HALF DIME 1860-1873 Legend Obverse: DESIGNED BY
Christian Gobrecht: ISSUE DATE
1860-1873: COMPOSITION
0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper: DIAMETER
15.5 mm: WEIGHT
19.2 grains: EDGE
Reeded: BUS MINT
15,552,600: PROOF MINT
10,040

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