United States 1856 half dime

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This issue is common for the type. The last half dime was struck 1873, having been superseded by the more popular nickel five cents. Philadelphia (shown here) and New Orleans struck half dimes in 1856.

Recorded mintage: 4,880,000 (third most common date after 1853 and 1857).

Specification: 1.24 g, 0.900 fine silver, 23 mm diameter, reeded edge, designed by Christian Gobrecht.

Catalog reference: A62.2.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Blythe, Al, The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dimes, Virginia Beach, VA: DLRC Press, 1992.
• Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.

Link to:

• 1853 half dime, with arrows
• 1855 half cent
• 1856 large cent
• 1856 "flying eagle" cent
• 1856 3 cents
• 1856 dime
• 1856 gold dollar type III
• 1856-C 5 dollars
• 1856-D 5 dollars
• 1856 10 dollars
• 1856-S 10 dollars
• 1856-S 20 dollars
• 1858-O half dime
• return to United States Seated Liberty Half Dimes (1837-1873)
• Coins and currency dated 1856