You might be surprised to know it, but before 1866, there was no such thing as a nickel. If you wanted to spend five cents, you had to have a “half dime” in your wallet.

Half dimes were some of the very first coins produced in the United States. The half dime that was in circulation after 1850 was known as the “Seated Liberty” half dime. It was minted between 1837 and 1873. The designer was Christian Gobrecht.