USA ½ dime 1792
USA, Philadelphia
Rarity
Rare
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | ½ dime |
| Krause number | KM# 5 |
| Mintage | 25,000 |
| Metal | Silver 0.892 |
| thickness | 1.1 mm |
| diameter | 17.5 mm |
| weight | 1.35 g |
Obverse:
People
1792
LIB . PAR . OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY .
Reverse:
Bird
HALF DISME
UNI . STATES OF AMERICA
Introduction of Coins
The age-old debate over whether this first United States half dime is a pattern or a regular issue will likely never be resolved. The popular Red Book treats it as a pattern, but clearly the estimated mintage of 1500 pieces points toward a hesitant start at circulating coinage. All of these are believed to have been struck at the factory of saw maker John Harper in Philadelphia, just a short distance from the U. S. Mint buildings then under construction or renovation from previous usage. This date's survival rate is disproportionately high, as it was recognized as a significant issue by early coin collectors. A few hundred examples are known over a wide range of grades. Most are quite well worn and/or damaged to some degree, with just a small handful of Mint State survivors. There is just the single die pair known for 1792, and this design was not used for any subsequent half dime mintages. It is thus extremely desirable as a one-year-only type coin, as well as the first emission of silver coinage by the United States of America.Read More
