About Flowing Hair Half Dimes:  Half Dimes were authorized by the Act of April 2, 1792, but the the first coins, though dated 1794, were not struck until February 1795. Half Dimes were minted until 1873. Once Nickel-Five Cent pieces entered the US coin arena, the Half Dime became unecessary. The Flowing Hair Haif Dime series only lasted for two years, 1794 and 1795.