Bust Half Disme 1792

Coin Series

About This Series

Standing at the genesis of United States coinage, the 1792 half disme (pronounced "deem") was struck before the Philadelphia Mint was fully operational. President Washington personally referenced these coins in his November 1792 address to Congress, noting that "small beginning" had been made. Approximately 1,500 were produced, with tradition holding that the silver came from Washington's own household silverware. Designed by Robert Birch (the portrait possibly depicting Martha Washington), the obverse shows Liberty facing left with LIB.PAR.OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY, while the reverse features an eagle with HALF DISME and UNI. STATES OF AMERICA. Struck in .8924 fine silver at approximately 1.35 grams and 16.5 mm, these tiny coins predate the formal Mint opening. Surviving specimens, roughly 200-300 across all known examples, are highly prized as tangible artifacts of American coinage's founding moment. Listed as Judd-7, its status as pattern versus circulating issue remains debated among numismatic scholars.