What is the value of an 1857 US half dime?

Answer 1

Look on the back of the coin to see if there's a small mint mark letter. It may be blank or there may be an O.

Numismedia lists the following approximate retail values as of 07/2010:

No mint mark (Philadelphia):

Very worn condition - $14

Moderately worn - $20

Slightly worn - $24

Almost no wear - $113

Uncirculated - $162 to $15,630 depending on quality

"O" mint mark (New Orleans):

Very worn - $15

Moderately worn - $22

Slightly worn - $31

Almost no wear - $181

Uncirculated - $300 to $7,810

Why a half-dime?This seemingly strange denomination dates from the time when U.S. coinage was intended to be based on multiples of 10 rather than 100. There were cents, dimes (10 cents), dollars (10 dimes), and eagles (10 dollars). These were split in half with half-cents, half-dimes, half-dollars, and half-eagles.

In view of that arrangement, a half-dime made sense. But by the 1860s most people were comfortable thinking only in dollars and cents, so the new nickel coin was introduced in 1866 and the half-dime disappeared a few years later.