Coin Highlights
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Issuer: United States of America
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Date: 1834
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Mint: Philadelphia (no mintmark)
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Denomination: Half Dime (5¢)
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Composition: 89.24% silver, 10.76% copper
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Weight: 1.35 g
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Diameter: 15.5 mm
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Grade: NGCX MS 9.2 (≈ MS62) – Uncirculated with minor marks and light friction
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Obverse Design: Bust of Liberty facing left, wearing a Phrygian cap inscribed LIBERTY, surrounded by 13 stars with date below.
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Reverse Design: Heraldic eagle with shield, arrows, and olive branch; inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and denomination 5C below.
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Edge: Reeded
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Orientation: Coin alignment (↑↓)
Historical Significance
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The Capped Bust Half Dime series (1829–1837) was designed by William Kneass, evolving from John Reich’s earlier Capped Bust motif.
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In 1834, America was in the midst of Andrew Jackson’s presidency, during a period of expanding U.S. commerce and silver coinage circulation.
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The half dime served as a practical small-denomination coin before the nickel five-cent piece was introduced in 1866.
Collectibility
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Mintage (1834): 1,334,000 coins, relatively modest compared to later U.S. silver denominations.
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In MS62 equivalent, this coin retains sharp detail and original mint luster, though with light contact marks and handling typical for the grade.
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Popular with type collectors of early U.S. silver and specialists in half dimes, the 1834 issue is an accessible yet historically significant date.
AG-3 About Good- Details clear enough to identify.
G-4 Good- Date, letters, and stars discernible. Bust outlined, no details.
VG-8 Very Good- Legends and date plain. Some letters in “LIBERTY” visible.
F-12 Fine- Clear “LIBERTY”. Ear and shoulder clasp visible. Part of rim visible on both sides.
VF-20 Very Fine- “LIBERTY” distinct. Full rim. Ear and clasp plain and distinct.
EF-40 Extremely Fine- “LIBERTY” sharp. Ear distinct. Hair above eye well defined.
AU5-50 About Uncirculated- Traces of lght wear on only the high points of the design. Half of mint luster present.
MS-60 Uncirculated- No trace of wear. Light blemishes.
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated- Some distracing marks or blemishes in prime focal areas. Impaired luster possible.
