Robert Scot's Flowing Hair half dime design, used in 1794 and 1795, was disparaged by some for his portrayals both of Liberty and the reverse eagle. Perhaps responding to that criticism, Mint Director Henry W. DeSaussure announced a goal of improving the designs of all silver coins.
Half Dimes, Coins in Old Holders Highlight Heritage Auctions
The forgotten denomination of
The Old Orchard Collection of Half Dimes. Bidding in this month-long auction is open now, continuing through a live session beginning at 6 PM CT (7 PM ET) on May 29.
The Old Orchard Collection features 133 coins, ranging from 1794 through the end of the series, with a majority in Mint State grades. As is all too common with older coinage that was freely used in circulation, some issues are all but impossible to locate in a Mint State grade, such as the
1846 half dime. No fewer than 10 examples of this low-mintage key date are offered in this collection, with the finest graded AU58 by NGC. The major grading services combined have seen fit to award Mint State grades to a mere four coins of the date, putting this attractive, colorful, blatantly original piece in the lower part of the condition census.