U.S. COIN REFERENCE · Half dimes
Half dimes: a five-cent denomination with its own series
Read the denomination and design instead of allowing a modern expectation about five-cent coins to choose the catalog. Include the full reverse, date, mintmark area where applicable, and edge in your inspection record.
Choose the reference that fits the coin
Early designs and Seated types need different diagnostic references. Identify which question remains uncertain: the family, date, mint, strike, die pair, or surfaces. A collector can make better use of a narrow unresolved question than of an unsupported grade or rarity label.
| Series or category | Reference span | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 1792 half disme | 1792 | Reviewed series guide; issue data partial |
| Flowing Hair half dime | 1794–1795 | Reviewed series guide; issue data partial |
| Draped Bust half dime | 1796–1805 | Reviewed series guide; issue data partial |
| Capped Bust half dime | 1829–1837 | Reviewed series guide; issue data partial |
| Liberty Seated half dime | 1837–1873 | Reviewed series guide; issue data partial |
Inspect and compare the actual coin
Photograph both faces and the edge. Read the date and mintmark, establish the design and strike, then assess wear, surfaces, damage, and any diagnostic feature. Keep uncertain observations visible. A reference’s variety list supplies candidates to check; it does not identify an error on your coin.
- Use the mint-error inspection order
- Separate mintage from rarity and survival
- Check a rare-coin claim
- Understand raw coins and certified grades
Compare recent sales for the same issue, condition, surface status, and quantity. Record sold versus asking prices, sale date, currency, and shipping. If the available evidence is broader than the coin you are valuing, label that limitation.
References and review
Reference reviewed October 5, 2026. Historical facts and catalog standards need to match the exact issue; price comparisons should be researched at the time of valuation.