USA ½ dime Liberty Seated Half Dime 1859
USA, Philadelphia
Rarity
Scarce
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | ½ dime |
| Krause number | KM# A62.2 |
| Mintage | 340,000 |
| Metal | Silver 0.900 |
| diameter | 15.5 mm |
| weight | 1.24 g |
Obverse:
Liberty
Star
Creators: Christian Gobrecht
Reverse:
Wreath
Creators:
Christian Gobrecht
HALF DIME
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Introduction of Coins
The Philadelphia Mint half dime of 1859 is an anomaly. It bears Assistant Engraver Anthony C. Paquet's interpretation of the Seated Liberty figure, while the New Orleans issue of that year retained the old Hughes figure from 1840. Paquet created a slimmer Liberty having hair that looks more like a bonnet. The ribbon inscribed LIBERTY is more curved and the letters are taller. Finally, the obverse stars have hollow centers. This Liberty hub was ultimately rejected in favor of yet another new one for 1860 that lasted through the end of the series in 1873, making the 1859(P) half dime desirable as a one-year-only type coin. Despite its modest mintage, this issue is not rare in Mint State. Only at the MS 65 level does it become challenging to locate. In addition, most pieces are quite well struck. The Valentine and Breen references list several obverse dies having repunched dates, yet it appears that at least a couple of these may be different states of the same die.Read More
