1792 Half Disme Pattern
The smallest silver denomination that was authorized by the Coinage Act of April 2, 1792, was the half dime or (disme). The first of the half dime denomination was struck in 1792, from silver that is said to have been deposited by George Washington. These coins were part of a pattern series that was produced that year, but their status as patterns is disputed.
The small mintage, believed to have been approximately 1500 pieces, did circulate and was readily accepted by the American public. They are of the exact same specifications as the Flowing Hair Half Dimes, which would follow in 1795, but they are considered to be a separate type although not always included in type sets of American coinage.
Because of their rarity and fascinating story, these coins have been very popular for a long time and bring strong prices when offered for sale. Most will show some wear from circulation, but a small number of uncirculated pieces are known as well, perhaps saved as souvenirs from the first mintage of the American Mint.
The obverse is said to have been designed by Adam Eckfeldt, and showed a portrait of Liberty facing left, with her hair flowing gently backwards, but not as much as on the later silver coinage. The lettering reads LIB.PAR.OF.SCIENCE & INDUSTRY, and the date is directly under the truncation of the neck. The reverse is said to have been designed by Robert Birch, and featured an eagle partly in flight. UNI. STATES OF AMERICA is around, with HALF DIME below and a star near the bottom. It should be noted that the designers of both the obverse and reverse are only rumored. Different researchers have come up with different possibilities.
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