Ever been walking along a busy street, lost in the pathways of your own mind, when you happen to glance down and notice a quarter, or if you’re lucky, a dollar bill laying on the ground? You pick it up, stash it in your pocket, and go about your way. When I was a child, I used to have a large space between my two front teeth and people used to say that was a sign of someone who would make millions later in life. I guess I’m still waiting to see even part of one million, but I was habitually finding money whether it be at the grocery store or along the street when I went to get the mail.
But a story from my Grandfather reminds me to pick up currency, no matter how small it may seem. Quite a few years back, Grandpa was helping remove lath and plaster from the walls of an old house. He looked down and in the pile of dust and dirt, he caught a glimpse of something shiny. Low and behold, he had accidently stumbled upon an 1863 Seated Liberty half dime.
The denomination was one of the original coins first authorized in 1792, and they began making them in February 1795. Half dimes were discontinued in 1873 due to the growing popularity of the copper/nickel five-cent piece.
Half dimes were also used in jewelry during the 1870s and 1880s and were popular as tie tacks, cuff links, buttons and pins.
Here’s a unique history on the half dime (pictured on the right). And yes, it spent for 5 cents just like a nickel, just as the name implies.
Until we walk again …
Temple Grandin is a doctor of animal science and professor at Colorado State University, bestselling author, and consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. She is also widely noted for her work in autism advocacy and is the inventor of the hug machine designed to calm hypersensitive persons.
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