Capped Bust half dimes revived the silver five-cent denomination in 1829 with a compact, reeded-edge format and a dense field of date, 5 C., and die-pairing varieties.

This guide covers the Philadelphia half dimes of 1829–1837. Earlier Draped Bust and later Liberty Seated half dimes are separate series.

Core specifications

Issue period
1829–1837
Catalog mints
1
Reported catalog mintage
13,058,700
Composition
89% Silver - 11% Copper
Diameter
15.5 mm
Weight
1.35 g

Regular five-cent silver returns

After more than two decades without half-dime production, the denomination returned in 1829 as improved coining equipment made a smaller, more consistent piece practical.

The 1837 coinage law adjusted the silver standard and required a denomination on the reverse of the dime and half dime. The Capped Bust format ended that year as the Liberty Seated design arrived.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

William Kneass's Liberty faces left wearing a cap inscribed LIBERTY, with stars around her and the date below.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

A shielded eagle holds arrows and an olive branch; E PLURIBUS UNUM appears above and 5 C. below, with small date and denomination-punch differences across dies.

Where the cataloged coins were made

Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.

  • P — Philadelphia: 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837; 13,058,700. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.

Representative issues that explain the series

The date set is approachable compared with earlier half dimes, while 1834–1836 die and punch varieties create a deeper specialist path.

  • 1829 P — 1,230,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1834 P — 1,480,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1835 P - Large Date - Large 5C — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1837 P - Large 5C — 871,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Start with the major type, then study smaller die differences

The current catalog records 1 varieties. A variety name describes repeatable die features; it does not automatically mean error, rarity, or added value.

The issue catalog keeps all 1 modeled varieties attached to their parent issue records.

Issue catalog

1829 P Capped Bust Half Dime1830 P Capped Bust Half Dime1831 P Capped Bust Half Dime1832 P Capped Bust Half Dime1833 P Capped Bust Half Dime1834 P Capped Bust Half Dime1835 P Capped Bust Half Dime - All Varieties1835 P Capped Bust Half Dime - Large Date - Large 5C1835 P Capped Bust Half Dime - Large Date - Small 5C1835 P Capped Bust Half Dime - Small Date - Large 5C1835 P Capped Bust Half Dime - Small Date - Small 5C1836 P Capped Bust Half Dime - Small 5C1836 P Capped Bust Half Dime - Large 5C1836 P Capped Bust Half Dime - 3 Over Inverted 31837 P Capped Bust Half Dime - Large 5C1837 P Capped Bust Half Dime - Small 5C

From one type coin to a complete catalog

  • One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
  • Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
  • Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.
  • Variety study: Choose one date or diagnostic family and record several matching markers for every attribution.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 16 issue records, 1 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. Legislation to Further Establish a Mint — United States Mint
  2. Dime: Designs and History — United States Mint
  3. Capped Bust Half Dime category reference — PCGS CoinFacts