What is the value of an 1832 US half dime?

Answer 1

Your coin is called a half-dime. Numismedia lists the following approximate retail values as of 01/2013:

Very worn condition - $45

Moderately worn - $64

Slightly worn - $99

Almost no wear - $264

Uncirculated - $408 to $11,940 depending on quality

What's a half-dime?

To explain the strange denomination, half-dimes date from the period when the dime was treated as a primary currency unit. There were half-cents and cents, half-dimes and dimes, half-dollars and dollars, half-eagles and eagles. Currency was in multiples of 10 rather than 100 as we do today prices just in dollars and cents. (The quarter doesn't fit that pattern but was slipped in to provide compatibility with Spanish coins that were still in use alongside U.S. coins until the 1850s.)

When nickels were introduced in 1866 the two forms of 5-cent coins circulated simultaneously for a while. The nickel proved to be a more successful coin and half-dime production ended in 1873.

DISCLAIMER: The retail values quoted are the best available as of the date shown, but may vary significantly due to changes in the precious metals market. Also the wholesale (buying) price of a coin will be less than the selling (retail) price. A reputable coin dealer will be able to give a more accurate valuation based on inspection of the coin.