1860 Half Dime Die Trial - J-A1860-1

Coin Details

Description

This die trial of the 1860 Seated Liberty half dime captures the smallest silver denomination in the American coinage system at a moment of significant design change. Like the dime, the half dime underwent a major redesign in 1860: the reverse wreath was changed from an open laurel design to the heavier "cereal wreath" incorporating ears of corn, wheat, maple leaves, and oak, reflecting the agricultural bounty of the nation. The legend "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" was also repositioned, and the overall appearance of the coin was substantially refreshed. The obverse features the diminutive Seated Liberty figure that had adorned the half dime since 1837, holding a liberty cap on a pole and resting against a shield. At only 15.5 millimeters in diameter — barely larger than a modern dime — the half dime presented unique challenges for die engravers, who had to compress the full Seated Liberty composition into an extremely small space while maintaining legibility and artistic quality. The Judd-A1860-1 designation identifies this as the first cataloged die trial variety for the 1860 half dime. Philadelphia produced 799,000 half dimes in silver that year, making it a reasonably common date in the series. The die trial, however, is a far scarcer artifact. The half dime denomination was living on borrowed time in 1860 — within a few years, the Civil War would drive all silver from circulation, and after the war, the five-cent nickel would permanently replace the half dime, which saw its final production in 1873.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Die trials of Seated Liberty half dimes are very scarce for any date; J-A1860-1 represents the first year of the redesigned half dime and is known in only one to three specimens.

Cross References

Judd-A1860-1