Capped Bust Half Dime

In the United States in 1829 there were all classes of people. The average wage for a laborer was eighty cents per day and there were 75,000 people in debtor’s prisons, most for debts of less than twenty dollars. At the new Tretmont Hotel in Boston, a guest could get a private room, four meals and free soap for just $2.00 a day.

When making purchases totaling five cents, the fee could be paid in many ways. Large copper cents and half cents were used daily. The small silver coin known as the half dime was also used.

The Mint in Philadelphia made the first regular issue half dimes in 1794 and they featured the Flowing Hair portrait of lady Liberty. The Draped Bust replaced this design in 1796 and was being produced through the year 1805 in combination with a small eagle reverse and from 1800 onward, with a heraldic eagle. Suddenly at this time, the half dime disappeared from the US’s currency for no reason given and did not make a re-appearance for twenty more years. It is thought that the banks had a preference for the easy to get Mexican half reale coin. The reale circulated alongside US federal coins and had legal tender status.

When Andrew Jackson became president in 1829 the half dime returned. It had been changed to a left-facing Liberty with curly hair that was tucked inside a cap. The Capped Bust was born. On the reverse was a naturalistic eagle with a shield on its breast.

There are thirteen stars around the portrait of Liberty and the date below. On the reverse is E PLURIBUS UNUM on a ribbon above the eagle and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at the upper rim.

The Capped Bust half dime was around as long as Jackson served his two terms in the White House as the seventh president. The Capped Bust half dime was minted in Philadelphia. The Capped Bust was replaced by the Seated Liberty in 1837.