Coin Specifications

The Seated Liberty Half Dimes represented the last of the silver half dime denomination. The five cent nickel had been introduced in 1866 with the Shield Nickel, and less than ten years later, the last silver half dimes were struck in 1873. During the course of the final half dime series, the silver content was reduced.

The obverse of the Liberty Seated Half Dime features the allegorical figure Liberty seated on a rock, as the name suggests, at various points in the series, the surrounding fields are empty, contain thirteen stars, or contain the motto “United States of America.” The reverse contains a wreath with the denomination spelled out in the center. This wreath was changed significantly later in the series.

The original composition consisted of 90% silver and 10% copper with a weight of 1.34 grams. In 1853, the weight of the coins was changed to 1.24 grams. To indicate the coins with the new composition, arrows were placed to each side of the date for coins with the new measure.

Seated Liberty Half Dime Coin Specifications

half dimes Seated Liberty