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Half Dime · $0.05

1858-P Seated Liberty Half Dime (1837-1873)

FS-301

Key Features

Repunched Date (RPD)

Intriguing History

In 1858, sectional tensions over slavery were pushing the country toward crisis -- the Dred Scott decision, the Panic of 1857, and violent conflict in "Bleeding Kansas" all unfolded in these years, while the Mint retired the old large copper cent for a smaller, more efficient coin. This Seated Liberty half dime, the smallest U.S. silver coin ever regularly struck, was doing its small-change work in exactly this period.