The 43 Days Of Half Dimes - Act II

1862 Half Dime:

Thanks Coinfrog!It's one from the type set.

I do have this one in the type set

Nice Germanicus! Two weeks ago I was walking on top of the Comstock Lode, which is probably where that silver came from. The mine owners shipped their silver to San Francisco. 90% preferred that mint even after Carson City opened.

The spot where Comstock made his discovery is the site of a public swimming pool now. The Lode extends for about 2 miles from that point, underneath Virginia City's F street. The Big Bonanza of 1873 was discovered about two city blocks from the pool, and about 1000 feet underground. The mining in 1864 was closer to the surface.

Nevada was hastily admitted as a state because of all this wealth, and they were promised a mint. By the time the Carson City mint was actually built, the bonanzas were starting to play out, and by 1880 the main section of the Comstock Lode had been mined out. Virginia City became a ghost town for the next 75 years, though it's revived now as an old west tourist trap.

I have a similar interest in French branch mints. Unlike the surviving Carson City mint building, I've never seen any of the French ones, even in pictures.

The pre-Comstock San Francisco silver is exceptionally rare due to the lack of bullion and the high demand for small coins in the West. There wasn't much of it to start with, and most of the surviving dimes and quarters are heavily worn.

You and me both! I'm right after you.

1868