Depicts the figure of Liberty clad in a flowing dress and seated upon a rock. In her left hand, she holds a Liberty pole surmounted by a Phyrgian cap, which had been a pre-eminent symbol of freedom during the movement of Neoclassicism (and in fact traces its roots back to Ancient Greece and Rome). Liberty's right hand rested on the top corner of a striped shield with a diagonal banner inscribed with the word "Liberty". The shield represented preparedness in the defense of freedom. The date of the coin appeared on the bottom below Liberty.

Thirteen six-pointed stars around the rim, commemorating the original thirteen colonies. Until 1840, the With Stars half dimes were created using a hub of the Without Stars design, followed by the addition of the stars by hand. This type is differentiated from later issues by the lack of drapery underneath Liberty's arm (holding the pole). The 1838 Small Stars resulted from overzealous polishing of the die, thereby reducing the size of the stars.

Depicts a wreath around the words HALF DIME. This wreath consisted of laurel leaves, a traditional Neoclassical image.