Vinyard Coin Collection: United States Half-Dimes, 1847/1862

Scope and content:

4 - Half-Dimes dating from 1847, 1853, 1860, and 1862. 1860 and 1862 varieties particularly well preserved. The 1847 and 1853 obverses feature the "Seated Liberty" pose, with an arc of 13 stars over her head. On the 1853 coin, an arrow runs through the date in order to increase the weight of US coinage for competition in the international market. The reverses of these coins includes the word HALF DIME surrounded by a laurel wreath and then encircled by the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The 1860 and 1862 coins feature the same seated liberty image as the earlier coins, but instead of stars the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are included. The reverses still feature the words HALF DIME, but the laurel has been replaced by an oak and wheat wreath which extends nearly to the edge of the coin. The half dime was a completely American invention, and was literally half the weight of the US dime. The half dime fell out of production when an alternative 5 cent piece comprised of Nickel began being minted. Rather than continue with two redundant denominations, the Government decided to scrap the silver Half Dime. All in good condition. Gift of Chris Vinyard. An image is available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5765571305/. Located in T&E S6 SS2, Box 1. Mss 1996-57.A17-A20

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Parent restrictions:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Parent terms of access:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.