This is another of the high mintage issues typical of the 1853-58 period. The Mint Act of 1853 which lowered the weights of the half dime through half dollar specified that these coins were to paid out by the Treasury only in exchange for gold, and this was intended to prevent them from becoming a redundant nuisance. Instead, Mint Director James R. Snowden paid them out in exchange for deposits of either gold or silver, and mintages thus exploded from this trade that was so profitable to holders of silver.

 

His misguided attempt at ending the silver coin shortage of 1850-53 was finally brought to an end by his superior in 1858. 1857 half dimes are common in all grades through MS 65. Most are poorly struck. This flaw is almost always present in the coins' borders, but Liberty's head and foot are also found less than fully formed. Attempts to correct these problems by retouching the master hub were not successful, and an entirely new one was created in 1859.