Did half-dimes and Copper-nickel five cent pieces circulate together?

Leiana

I see the years for Shield Nickels and Seated Liberty Half Dimes overlap. Could both be found in circulation?

Thanks.

-Amanda

Cladiator

Absolutely.

Barndog

Unless one of the older members chimes in with stories, this could be a short-lived thread...

itsnotjustme

Of course....

Leiana

I ask because Cu-Ni Indian Head Cents were hoarded during the war years leading the government to change the composition of the cent to keep it in commerce. Also, while 3CNs and 3CSs were made at the same time, nearly all of the silvers minted during the same period they minted nickel ones were melted.

-Amanda

291fifth

They circulated at the same time, but whether they circulated together is another question. Some parts of the country, the silver producing states, for example, may have continued to use half dimes while the states east of the Rocky Mountains may have preferred the nickels.

Anyone have any factual information on this? It is a good question.

shirohniichan

<< <i>They circulated at the same time, but whether they circulated together is another question. Some parts of the country, the silver producing states, for example, may have continued to use half dimes while the states east of the Rocky Mountains may have preferred the nickels.

Anyone have any factual information on this? It is a good question. >>



Only silver and gold circulated regularly in the western states (as 291fifth implied). Mark Twain said everything he saw in Salt Lake City was at least a quarter in 1869, and others have said most goods were priced at 10 cents and above in San Francisco. As you know, the San Francisco Mint produced half dimes up until 1873. They probably continued to circulate long after that, but the first nickels weren't struck until 1912 (even though a History Channel program claimed they were struck there in 1883). The lack of half dimes in general circulation led to the complaint that customers were regularly short changed when buying a 10 cent item with a quarter and only getting a dime back (because half dimes, nickels, and cents weren't readily available). BTW, this was the ostensible reason for the introduction of the double dime in 1875.

Bochiman

<< <i>Unless one of the older members chimes in with stories, this could be a short-lived thread... >>



Cladiator DID chime in already

Dog97

The Shield Nickels replaced the 5¢ notes which replaced the Half Dimes because they umm.....weren't circulating.