By the time the Draped Bust Half Dime was in circulation, a noticable pattern was emerging in coinage design in the United States. When the draped bust design was abandoned in 1805, the new design was still very similar to the previous two.

First minted in 1829, the Capped Bust Half Dime was designed by William Kneass. Lady Liberty, facing left this time, was still on the obverse flanked by thirteen stars - six on the right and seven on the left. The word "LIBERTY" was moved to the mobcap which contained her hair, while the year was still displayed at the bottom.

The coin's reverse displays a slightly different eagle than the previous design. The new eagle has a Union Shield on its breast, and is clutching three arrows on the right and an olive branch on the left. "5 C." appears at the bottom of the coin stating its value, and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" arcs along the top, with an "E PLURIBUS UNUM" ribbon displayed just above the eagle.

The capped bust five cent piece was minted exclusively out of Philadelphia, and lasted from 1829 through 1837, when it was replaced with the Seated Liberty design.


United States Coinage