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Message:: [QUOTE="johnmilton, post: 3509935, member: 101855"]In the early years, the number stars reflected the number of states. When the mint opened in 1793, there were 15 states. Since stars were only included in the silver and gold coin designs, it did not come into play until 1794 when the mint issued the first silver dollars. When Tennessee entered the Union in 1796, a 16th star was added. The coins that best refects the "star policy" were the 1797 half dimes. They are the only denomination that had 15, 16 and 13 stars in the same year. Here is the order. At the beginning of the year, there were 15 stars on the obverse. [ATTACH=full]930725[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]930726[/ATTACH] Tennessee came into the Union in June which added a 16th star. If you look at the half dime and dime 16 star obverses, you will see little hash marks where the die maker when to great pains to fit the stars into the design. [ATTACH=full]930727[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]930728[/ATTACH] Finally mint officials realized that they could not add any more stars. They decided to make the number 13 stars in honor of the 13 original states. This 13 star 1797 half dime is a very scarce coin although you would never know that from the "Red Book" listing. [ATTACH=full]930731[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]930732[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]