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Message:: [QUOTE="johnmilton, post: 5565330, member: 101855"]Since others have posted parts of their type sets, I have decided to post my half dimes. I have been a huge fan of the early half dimes since I saw my first one, an 1800, when I was Junior in college. That coin was priced at $300, which was way over my coin budget, but I was hooked. 1792 Half Disme  [ATTACH=full]1241322[/ATTACH] This coin was not made from Martha Washington's silver tableware, but it was made from silver owned by Thomas Jefferson which is almost as good. Flowing Hair Half Dime [ATTACH=full]1241321[/ATTACH] The 1795 half dime is the most common date among the early half dimes from 1792 to 1805. That tells you something about how scarce these coins are. Draped Bust, Small Eagle [ATTACH=full]1241323[/ATTACH] This is a very scarce type in all grades. This piece is unusually well struck. The grade is AU-53. Take is that the grade is AU-58, minus 5 points for the scratch on the bust. Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle [ATTACH=full]1241325[/ATTACH] This wonderful little coin came from Sarasota Rare Coin. They had purchased a collection which also included Mint State examples of the previous two types. It is graded MS-64. Capped Bust Type [ATTACH=full]1241326[/ATTACH] The mint did not issue any half dimes from 1806 to 1828. When the half dime was resumed, the Capped Bust design from the larger silver coins was adapted to it. No Stars Obverse [ATTACH=full]1241327[/ATTACH] Christian Gobrecht reduced his dollar design for the half dime and the dime. Many people like the clean, uncomplicated design. No Drapery with Stars Type [ATTACH=full]1241329[/ATTACH] Gobrecht probably had to bow to political pressure and add stars to the obverse of his design. The resulting coins were not as sharply struck. With Drapery, Stars Type [ATTACH=full]1241331[/ATTACH] In 1840 Robert Ball Hughes redid the artwork on all of the Liberty Seated silver coinage. The designs were not as artfully rendered, in my opinion. His trade mark, a drapery from Ms. Liberty's left elbow, is the most obvious change in the type. Many collectors ignore the No Drapery type shown above. With Arrows Type [ATTACH=full]1241335[/ATTACH] The discovery of gold in California upset the balance between the prices for gold and silver. As a result, all of the silver coins which were then in circulation, except for the tiny Silver Three Cent Piece, melted for more than their face value. Congress lowered the weight of all the silver coins except for the dollar. The change was indicated by arrows at the date from 1853 to 1855. Legend Obverse [ATTACH=full]1241336[/ATTACH] In 1860 the stars were replaced by the legend "United States of America" which was moved from the reverse. This was the last half dime type. The coin was discontinued in 1873. The nickel five cent piece was larger and easier to use.  [/QUOTE]

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