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1856
| Weight | 1.24 g |
| Diameter | 15.5 mm |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Strike | Circulation strike |
| Mintage | 4,880,000 |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Melt value | — |
| Designer | Christian Gobrecht |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-1095 |
Collection
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No additional varieties recorded for this strike.
External references
The 1856 half dime removed the arrows from the date but retained the lighter 1.24-gram weight established in 1853. The design returned to its pre-Arrows appearance: Stars Obverse With Drapery, the standard reverse wreath, and now a simple date without the flanking arrows. Philadelphia produced 4,880,000 half dimes for the year, a substantial output that reflected continued strong demand for small silver coinage.
The removal of the arrows did not change the coin's weight or silver content. It simply acknowledged that the public had adjusted to the new standard and no longer needed the visual reminder. The 1856 half dime looks, at first glance, like a pre-1853 coin, but it weighs 0.10 grams less than anything dated 1852 or earlier.
The 1856 is a common date in circulated and Uncirculated grades. It represents the Stars Obverse With Drapery subtype at its reduced weight, a combination that would continue through 1859 before the design was modified further.
Reference data only — not an appraisal.
| Grade | Description | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | $21 | $24 |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | $26 | $30 |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | $29 | $34 |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | $34 | $39 |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | $49 | $56 |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | $95 | $110 |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | $143 | $165 |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | $305 | $320 |
How much is a 1856 Seated Liberty Half Dime worth?
How many 1856 Seated Liberty Half Dimes were minted?
What is a 1856 Seated Liberty Half Dime made of?
What is the melt value of a 1856 Seated Liberty Half Dime?
Is the 1856 Seated Liberty Half Dime a key date?
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