Half Dimes: Why so many in such good condition available?

DesertLizard · January 22, 2003 10:34AM

Can someone give us a history lesson on Seated Half Dimes. Why are they so plentiful in such good condition? Imagine an everyday small denomination 150yr old coin available in MS condition by the thousands. This is not like a silver dollar where many barely circulated. Is there an explanation?

I just picked up 3 of them in 64 & 65 for less than some Lincoln proofs! The one thing I don't like about them they are tiny and really meant for younger eyes! Otherwise a great value and tons of history.

roadrunner · January 22, 2003 12:01PM

I do not believe they are common at all. Given the short history of the series (almost 20 years shorter than the dimes thru halves) they come up being pretty scarce. Their small size certainly aided in their survival. Let's face it, small coins have prejudices against them. I'm not quite sure why the Lincoln penny finally escaped that wrath but it did. 3 cent pieces and half dimes are often called "too small" by many collectors and dealers. Newbies tend to like "big things." But even so, when type fully wakes up, half dimes and their smaller brethren will do quite well. Right now everyone wants halves and dollars.

Nice, choice and gem original half dimes are far and few between
considering 70-90% of what's on the market are very marginal pieces. Appealing and technically "all there" 64's thru 66's are no brainers if you are lucky enough to find them. Same is true of all the MS seated liberty pieces.

roadrunner

DesertLizard · January 22, 2003 12:58PM

OK, I'll just keep buying them and won't tell anyone. Just wish they made them bigger! I am going to have to move up to the seated quarters so I can see details without a loupe!

Here's one I just "baked", I have been staring at it all day!

Catch22 · January 22, 2003 1:09PM

I agree with what has already been said. I think they only seem to be everywhere because few people are collecting them. The supply isn't that great, the demand is that small. Even a moderate increase in demand will dry the supply up rather quickly. I particularly like the seated half dime because the series can still be completed with modest effort. This is not so with the dime and quarter. The half can also be completed with a little effort in finding the 78-S. I have a near complete collection of both the half dime and half dollar, a good start on the dime and quarter but, the latter two will be long term projects to be sure.

Actually, near complete is not accurate. I collect only the rare coins in each series and ignore the common dates; so I guess near complete collection of the keys would be more correct.

Higashiyama · January 22, 2003 10:04PM

DesertLizard --

That miniature Gobrecht "dollar" is a really great coin. The simplicity and elegance of the no-stars obverse is amazing!

toyonakataro · January 22, 2003 10:23PM

I'm also staring at my 1837, whitch I got from Tonelover this Monday all day

No stars variety is my favorite.

dorkkarl · January 22, 2003 10:34PM

sentiments echoed. they are no more common than halves or quarters of corresponding vintage, but nobody collects 'em (except me

). the good news is that because of this fact, more survive in original condition - nobody bothers to clean many of 'em since their mkt is so small.

if your considering collecting half-dimes, i highly recommend. even the keys can generally be bargained down considerably off retail. singly, the coins may not appeal to most collectrors, but when you have a real nice collection of 'em, grouped together, it is something you can take great pride in.

K S

tjkillian · January 22, 2003 10:40PM

I guess I'm in the minority as I collect half dimes by date/mint. Also, I just picked up a 1838 PCGS MS-63 half dime at the FUN auction. I paid dearly for it and have been looking for a long time. MS-64/65 are very expensive, for me anyway. It is a great set to collect, but there are a few expensive ones in the early/mid '60s. You are right in that they are a little small and I also wish they were larger as well.

Tom

toyonakataro · January 22, 2003 10:46PM

Good part for half dime is you can't see hits on the coin with naked eyes even in low MS grade.
Bad part is you can't see the design in naked eyes

matteproof · January 22, 2003 10:53PM

Hi DesertLizard. Seated Half Dimes are really not "common." Of course, like any other Series, there are some dates that are RARE and others more common. Consider how MANY Morgan dollars (large coin) are available in Uncirculated grade - THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS. Yet, some dates are Rare and not nearly available in such numbers. The Unc Half Dimes that you picked up so inexpensively are probably common date examples. Are you sure they are UNC? Are they raw or slabbed UNC's? I can routinely buy an example of a common date Morgan Dollar (large coin) in UNC for around $30 bucks. It is highly unlikely that one can buy a truly Unc Seated Liberty Half Dime for $30 (unless the Seller does not know any better or an auction goes REAL bad).

You make an excellent observation that "smaller" size coins are often passed over in favor of larger ones by some collectors. This is often the case with collectors new to numismatics who tend to lurch toward "large" coins like Morgan Dollars and $20 Libertys. However, many of our greatest numismatic treasures can be found in smaller size coinage. Consider the amazing 1802 Half Dime. A true American Classic by anyones standard. How about the 1913 Liberty Nickel Proof? Small coin! MONSTER numismatic appeal. What about the 1792 Half Disme? Small coin. Of course, there are MANY more "small coin" numismatic treasures: 1909 VDB Matte Proof Lincoln Cent, 1877 Indian Cent, 1914-D Lincoln Cent, 1868 3cs, 1877 3cn, 1877 Shield Nickel, KEY Buffalos, 1872 2c businsess strike, etc, etc.

While the 1804 Dollar (large coin) brought the largest buck so far (3 million plus), many of the other "big tickets" were SMALL coins (most?). Furthermore, that famous CHILDS 1804 Dollar was an extraordinary example graded PCGS PR68!!! None of the "big ticket" smaller coins were graded anywhere near that high. One can only imagine how much a 1913 Liberty Nickel PROOF in PCGS PR68 would sell for.

Nevertheless DesertLizard, you are correct that Half Dimes can offer extraordinary historical and numismatic value. Like anything else though, it requires a KEEN understanding of the Series, knowledge of the dates, and as always: A GOOD EYE!

matteproof

shirohniichan · January 22, 2003 11:02PM

One reason why many of them remain in XF to AU is that they did not circulate as widely as dimes and quarters. Half dimes ceased production in 1873 when silver was still relatively expensive compared with gold. People had been hoarding silver coins to the extent that they did not widely circulate, except in the western states and territories. On a side note, Mark Twain relates that prices were so high in Salt Lake City that when he gave someone a half dime for shining his shoes (the going rate in most of the rest of the country), people gathered around to see this "new coin" since everything cost at least a dime there and they'd never seen a smaller coin. When silver prices plunged in 1876, half dimes were no longer being struck. People who'd been hoarding them now freely spent them, but they were already becoming oddities as the current 5 cent coin was the nickel.

They're not very common in mint state if you count hard numbers, but low demand means there are more than enough of the common dates to go around.

keithdagen · January 23, 2003 1:38AM

I just grabbed an 1837 Half Dime in NGC MS-62. Will post some pics when I get the coin in my posession. This is a series you either love or hate. Personally, can't stand them, because I can't enjoy the coins without magnification, but, I will give them this. I tend to find a lot of really nicely toned pieces at little to no premium over guides, which is in the series favor.

Barndog · September 19, 2006 10:45PM

I can think of one person who might want to add to this post...

Dismeguy · September 19, 2006 11:39PM

DL...suggest you post your half dime questions on the Half Dime Q&A forum at www.seateddimevarieties.com. Mrhalfdime is the host and can provide a significant amount of additional information.

Cladiator · September 20, 2006 12:32AM

<< I can think of one person who might want to add to this post... >>

I can think of two.

BillJones · September 20, 2006 12:41AM

In the coin business one rule of thumb is "bigger is better." Therefore in many series, the larger the coins, the more popular they are with collectors. Lincoln cents are the exception because they are low denomination pieces, that a child could collect, and they were often the coins that got people started in the hobby with penny boards and the like.

Half dimes fall into the cracks. Most collectors only want them for type. There fewer date collectors that there are in other series, and even fewer die varitey collectors, except for the early dates and the Classic heads (1829 - 1837).

dorkkarl · September 20, 2006 5:48AM

btw, don't forget that alot of the "mint condition" slabed half-dimes are actually sliders, so there may not be as many unc's around as you think

K S

rhedden · September 20, 2006 6:47AM

Half dimes are definitely way too common to be worth collecting. Just check the PCGS population report and you'll see that you should forget about half dimes and start buying BU Morgan dollars, or perhaps hoarding 1909-S VDB Lincolns.

MrHalfDime · September 20, 2006 6:55AM

"Half dimes are definitely way too common to be worth collecting. Just check the PCGS population report and you'll see that you should forget about half dimes and start buying BU Morgan dollars, or perhaps hoarding 1909-S VDB Lincolns."

vega1 · September 20, 2006 6:56AM

I too have noticed what appears to be a great value in these coins relative to other series, I also see this with Half Cents truthfully. thats a beautiful no stars you have there too, one of my favorite designs. The attached is one of my absolute favorite coins in my type set. I take any opportunity to show it.

USMC_6115 · September 20, 2006 7:01AM

vega1,

That's a beauty!

I got these two from board members and was happy to get them at the level I did. I know they're not common with this look:

USMC_6115 · September 20, 2006 7:02AM

The Dime pic is a bit blurry but it's a full XF coin.

rhedden, WOW!

Cladiator · September 20, 2006 7:04AM

Hey massscrew, that half dime looks awfull familiar

rhedden is that the 1860 transitional?

MrHalfDime · September 20, 2006 8:50AM

"rhedden is that the 1860 transitional?"

Take another close look at the beautiful half dime that Rhedden posted ......... and ask yourself this question:

What country issued that coin?

Voila! You have answered your own question. Yes, it is the 1860 Transitional J-267.

Barndog · September 20, 2006 9:22AM

<< "rhedden is that the 1860 transitional?"

Take another close look at the beautiful half dime that Rhedden posted ......... and ask yourself this question:

What country issued that coin?

Voila! You have answered your own question. Yes, it is the 1860 Transitional J-267. >>

From Judd's 9th Ed.: "Transitional issue made as a numismatic delicacy, in circulation strike format (Mint State rather than Proof)."

Numismatic delicacy is a very cool term!

cladking · September 20, 2006 9:53AM

There are many factors which affect the survivability of a series and each individual coin
in it. One major factor that is frequently overlooked is that lower denominations are much
less expensive to set aside than larger denominations. Usually this results in larger num-
bers of pristine smaller coins than larger ones.

Different denominations are often used very differently but very light coins often escape
a lot of wear because much of the wear to which coins are subjected is caused by being
mixed in with other coins of the same low weight such as in a cash register or counting
machine. This means that coins sliding on it from above tend to be lighter.

coachleonard · September 20, 2006 10:09AM

my theory: larger coins you carry by holding between your forefinger and thumb, thus the thumb wears down the surface. Half dimes are so small, that you'd probably carry them in an enclosed fist, thus less finger-pressing wear.

Barndog · September 20, 2006 10:14AM

good points all!

Cladiator · September 20, 2006 10:14AM

<< "rhedden is that the 1860 transitional?"

Take another close look at the beautiful half dime that Rhedden posted ......... and ask yourself this question:

What country issued that coin?

Voila! You have answered your own question. Yes, it is the 1860 Transitional J-267. >>

The Coin Without A Country!

MrHalfDime · September 20, 2006 10:22AM

I find it quite interesting to read some of these older threads that Barndog is digging up from the archives, many from a time before I joined the CU Forum. For a moment there, until I read the original dates of posting, I was almost fooled into thinking that suddenly the members here were having serious discussions about numismatic subjects. But alas, it was not to be. I was rather abruptly returned to the present, to a mind-numbing dose of such numismatic delights as "What is the largest coin that you have ever passed through your colon?", "If Mel Gibson sold coins, would you buy from him?", "What is a wannabe dealer?", and my own particular favorite, "Should something as interesting and educational as the 'Word of the Day' be considered off-topic, and therefore banned?".

Have we truly strayed that far, that we have to dig back into the ancient archives to find some truly interesting and (dare we say it?) some educational postings?

Cladiator · September 20, 2006 10:25AM

<< I find it quite interesting to read some of these older threads that Barndog is digging up from the archives, many from a time before I joined the CU Forum. For a moment there, until I read the original dates of posting, I was almost fooled into thinking that suddenly the members here were having serious discussions about numismatic subjects. But alas, it was not to be. I was rather abruptly returned to the present, to a mind-numbing dose of such numismatic delights as "What is the largest coin that you have ever passed through your colon?", "If Mel Gibson sold coins, would you buy from him?", "What is a wannabe dealer?", and my own particular favorite, "Should something as interesting and educational as the 'Word of the Day' be considered off-topic, and therefore banned?".

Have we truly strayed that far, that we have to dig back into the ancient archives to find some truly interesting and (dare we say it?) some educational postings? >>

Barndog · September 20, 2006 10:38AM

someone caught on! Thank you!

There's plenty back there, but there are also plenty with 2005 and 2006 dates attached. Just requires a bit more sifting.

cladking · September 20, 2006 10:57AM

<< I find it quite interesting to read some of these older threads that Barndog is digging up from the archives, many from a time before I joined the CU Forum. For a moment there, until I read the original dates of posting, I was almost fooled into thinking that suddenly the members here were having serious discussions about numismatic subjects. But alas, it was not to be. I was rather abruptly returned to the present, to a mind-numbing dose of such numismatic delights as "What is the largest coin that you have ever passed through your colon?", "If Mel Gibson sold coins, would you buy from him?", "What is a wannabe dealer?", and my own particular favorite, "Should something as interesting and educational as the 'Word of the Day' be considered off-topic, and therefore banned?".

Have we truly strayed that far, that we have to dig back into the ancient archives to find some truly interesting and (dare we say it?) some educational postings? >>

Don't open the threads. If you know they're garbage before you open them, then don't.
Responding to these threads or posts like this one or the quoted one then you are simply
encouraging it. The same with flaming threads; there's no reason to open them and if you
do then there is no reason to respond.

This place is what we make it. There are still lots of good threads so why dwell on the bad
ones?

OK. I'm off the soapbox and intend to stay off and follow my own advice. I'm very sorry for
the interruption.

Half Dimes: Why so many in such good condition available?

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