http://www.stardem.com/article_b46d4461-648d-53fe-8722-acb5f123f0ec.html alf disme has a rich history Posted: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 1:00 am Q: In a list of items for sale at an estate auction, there was a 1792 half disme. Is there such a coin as a disme, or was it misspelled? J.K.K., McFarland, Wisc. : The 1792 half disme (or half dime) was an American silver coin with a face value of five cents. The coin holds a very special place in numismatics as it may be the most historic coin: George Washington encouraged its production. Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson handled the delivery of 1,500 struck coins. It is commonly believed that the coins were made from Martha Washington's personal silver setting. There are also some who claim that the first lady was the model for the portrait of Liberty on the obverse side of the coin. "DISME" appears on the reverse of the coin, and the word was probably pronounced "deem," with a silent S. This early spelling was used in the Mint's internal bookkeeping for several years.
