Flowing Hair
Silver Half Dime

Congress authorized this coin in 1792, and it was one of the first denominations produced by the U.S. Mint. Most Americans are unaware that our five-cent coinage began as a silver coin, not the nickel composition that we know today. The design was not met with uniform acclaim primarily due to the rather emaciated looking eagle on the reverse. The design was changed after two years, although it is not known what prompted this redesign. All Flowing Hair Half Dimes are considered rare and are eagerly sought by legions of collectors.