NNP Encyclopedia data is provided in cooperation with Whitman Brands, based on catalog data organized by the Greysheet Identification System (GSID).
Entry Details
Coin Date: Half Disme Denomination (Short): H10c Denomination (Long): Half Disme Variety: 1792 Desg: MS Composition: Silver Mintage: 1,500 Strike Type: Business Coinage Type: Flowing hair half dime Coinage Years: 1792 Mint Location: Philadelphia Diameter: 17.5 Fineness: 0.8924 Weight (Grams): 20.8 Designer: Robert Birch Edge: Reeded Obverse Description: The obverse of the coin displays a depiction of Liberty facing to the left, with the date below the bust, and the phrase LIB PAR OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY in the legend. Reverse Description: The reverse portrays an eagle, also facing to the left, with "HALF DISME" beneath it and the legend displaying "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." General Notes: Technically a pattern issue, also known as Judd-7, but now widely popular and considered collectible as a regular issue. The 1792 Half Disme is a historic numismatic rarity that ushered in the production of coinage for the United States of America. Alexander Hamilton was ordered by Congress, on April 15, 1790, to establish a Mint for our new country. Just over a year later, the Morris Bill was drafted, detailing the framework of the American coinage system.
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By April, 1792, the Mint Act was passed; and, by order of George Washington, the first coin was set to be minted. The Half Disme was conceptualized by David Rittenhouse who went on to become the very first Mint Director.
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Thomas Jefferson, himself, delivered the silver to the manufacturer, John Harper, who was a toolmaker by trade. Three months later, Harper presented Jefferson with 1,500 coins given the name Half Dismes, per the Mint Act.
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The Half Dismes were struck using dies created by the engraver, Robert Birch. The Morris Bill required that the Half Dismes contain 0.8924 silver along with other metals for a total weight of 1.35 grams and a diameter of 17.5 millimeters. On November 6, 1792, these coins were put into circulation by the United States Mint as the first legal tender of our nation.
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The mintage for the 1792 Half Disme was 1,500. Unfortunately, approximately just 275 are estimated to have survived in all grades with about 15% of those in mint state. NGC ID: 22ZS
