The half dime, or half disme, was a silver coin, valued at five cents, formerly minted in the United States.
The 1794 "Flowing Hair" half dime, obverse
The 1794 "Flowing Hair" half dime, reverse
1796 Draped Bust half dime with small eagle reverse
1800 Draped Bust half dime with heraldic eagle reverse
The United States Mint is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury responsible for producing coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce, as well as controlling the movement of bullion. The U.S. Mint is one of two U.S. agencies that produce money in the case of minting coinage; the other is the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which prints paper currency. The first United States Mint was created in Philadelphia in 1792, and soon joined by other centers, whose coins were identified by their own mint marks. There are currently four active coin-producing mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point.
The First U.S. Branch Mint in California, which opened on April 3, 1854, is located at 608–619 Commercial Street in San Francisco. The building now houses the San Francisco Historical Society.
First United States Mint (Philadelphia); photo from 1904
The Philadelphia Mint
The Denver Mint