Half

Half dime was a coin made of silver manufactured by the United States Mint, Philadelphia and was valued at five cents. They were termed as 'half dime' due to their smaller size in diameter and thickness than the usual dimes. The U.S Mint produced various types of half dimes namely Flowing hair Patter, in 1792, Flowing hair from 1794 to 1795, Draped Bust (small eagle reverse) from 1796 to 1797, Draped Bust (Heraldic Eagle Reverse) from 1800to 1805, Capped Bust from 1829 to 1837 and Seated Liberty from 1837to 1873. However, the seated liberty design was discontinued later, due to its resemblance to the 'quarter.' The basic design of the Seated Liberty half dimes had one side of the coin designed with the figure of goddess liberty sitting on a rock wearing a flowing dress. In her left hand she held a pole surmounted with a liberty cap, and her right hand rests on the corner of the shield with a diagonal banner, having the word 'LIBERTY' inscribed on it. At the bottom, below the word liberty, date of the coin was mentioned. Later, on arrows were added on both the sides of the date. The reverse side of the coin initially had a word 'HALF DIME' inscribed on it and a wreath around it. However, this design was changed in 1853 with the image of an eagle about to take a flight in the centre clasping a bunch of arrows in the left claws and an olive branch of piece in its right claws. The eagle also had a stripped shield upon its breast. The words 'United States Of America' was inscribed above the image of the eagle, around the rim of the coin, and below the image was the denomination.