Fun Facts About Half-Dime Coins And Nickels
Nickels and half-dimes -- they may sound like different coins, but they're both the same as far as the United States Mint is concerned. They're both 5-cent coins.
The half-dime was the U.S. Mint's answer to the need for a 5-cent coin during the 19th century. In fact, the half-dime:
- Was made from silver (about 90% of the weight is silver)
- Weighed half the amount of dimes back in the day
The last half-dime was made in 1873, but that was 7 years after the U.S. Mint had begun making another 5-cent coin. The nickel 5-cent coin:
- Was first struck in 1866
- Contains a 75% copper 25% nickel composition
Half-dimes and nickels saw many designs over the course of their decades of service.
The half-dime saw 4 major design types (with many varieties and minor modifications to each of those designs):
- Flowing Hair Type 1794-1795
- Draped Bust Type 1796-1805
- Capped Bust Type 1829-1837
- Liberty Seated Type 1837-1873
The nickel has also seen many design changes during its long run:
- Shield Type 1866-1883
- Liberty Head Type 1883-1912
- Buffalo Type 1913-1938
- Jefferson Type 1938-Present
