my first question is why did US make a 1/2 dime when they made a capped bust dime? Why not just a nickel? So I’m trying to grade it myself and I’m not doing so well, I think... Obverse I think it’s a F10 to F15 and the reverse I think is a VG08. So what do you guys think .... I do know that I have so learning to do on the capped bust dime. (And 1/2).
A half dime was a nickel, for most of US history. The first nickel as we recognize it was made in 1866. People liked the idea of intrinsic value.
Hi and We'll come, I have no idea why they made have dimes maybe It has to do with they did not have nickles untill 1866 they had three cent silver coins then. I just read in the REDBOOK that the half dime was the first coin by the US government in 1794. I would agree with you that your half dime is a VG-8 with around $65.00.
As others have said before me, the first nickel was made in 1866 as the shield nickel. Before that, a half dime was the same thing. Think the name changed when they switched compositions.
The first Nickel was the copper-nickel flying eagle/1st year Indian Head cents. The second Nickel was the 3 cent copper-nickel The third Nickel (the one that stuck) was the copper-nickel replacement for the half dime.
Silver $.03 pieces were hoarded by the public so nickel $.03 pieces were issued in 1865. The following year, 1866, Shield Nickels were issued using the same composition as the nickel $.03. Half dimes were issued in 1794 by the Act of April 2, 1972. The weight was changed several times. All Half Dimes are silver and the last year of issue was 1873, the same year as silver $.03 coins. In 1796 Dimes were first issued with designs very much like the Half Dimes and they were doubled the weight of Half Dimes. Capped Bust Dimes were first issued in 1809. Draped Bust Dimes were issued in 1796. You have a 1831 Capped Bust Half Dime. The obverse is a VG-8 and the reverse is the same in my opinion, maybe a 6. You must remember the coins issued were done not to long after gaining Independance. Times and conditions were tough. Contract and Patterns were still in circulation to meet public demand. These were issued by non governmental parties. The denominations that circulated were issued for business reasons, much like what circulated today.
PS. A Swedish chemist is credited for the discovery of Nickel in 1751. In 1848 Norway learned to smelt nickel. Given the dates you can see why the dates on Trimes ($.03), Half Dimes, Nickels and Dimes are what they are with their metal composition.