Coin Specifications

The specifications for the Seated Liberty Dollar remained constant for the duration of the series from 1840 to 1873. Interestingly, there were some periods of the series when the melt value of the coins exceeded the face value, which had an impact on production and circulation, and in some cases led to melting.

Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the obverse of the coin features an image of Liberty seated on a rock. She holds a pole with a cap in one hand and a shield with the word “Liberty” in the other. There are thirteen stars surrounding and the date below. The style and pose of Liberty is said to be reminiscent of Britannia from British coinage. On the reverse is a bald eagle with a shield at the chest, and with arrows and talons grasped in its claws. The inscriptions are “United States of America” and “One Dol.” In 1866, the motto “In God We Trust” was added on a scroll above the eagle.

Each Seated Liberty Dollar is struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, yielding a net weight of 0.77344 troy ounces of silver. The coins have a diameter of 38.1 mm and gross weight of 26.73 grams. The coins have a reeded edge and were struck at Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Carson City.

Production of the coins was officially halted following the Coinage Act of 1873.

Seated Liberty Dollar Coin Specifications

dollars Seated Liberty

Representing the longest duration for a design on the quarter dollar denomination so far was the Liberty Seated Quarter series which spanned from 1838 to 1891. While the basic design did remain unchanged for this entire period, there were several subtle changes in design as well as adjustments to weight.

The image of Liberty Seated on a rock with a pole and shield was designed by Christian Gobrecht. The original concept is said to be derived from images of Britannia, used on British coinage. The reverse of each coin features a bald eagle, facing left. A shield is at the eagle’s breast and an olive branch and bundle of arrows are in its claws.

Originally, the Seated Liberty Quarter carried a weight of 6.68 grams. This remained the case until 1853 when the weight was lowered to 6.22 grams. To denote the change arrows were added at the date and rays were placed around the eagle. Two decades later, the weight was increased slightly to 6.25 grams. Once again, the arrows at the date were briefly used to denote the change.

Other design changes during the course of the series included adding drapery at Liberty’s elbow from 1840 onwards and adding a scroll on the reverse with the motto “In God We Trust” from 1866 onwards.

Seated Liberty Quarter Coin Specifications

quarters Seated Liberty

The Liberty Seated Half Dollar design was used from 1839 to 1891, representing the longest duration that a design has remained in use for the denomination. Although the basic design remained the same, there were a number of small design modifications, as well as changes tot he weight and corresponding silver content of the coins.

Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the Seated Liberty Half Dollar features a portrayal of Lady Liberty seated on a rock holding a pole with a liberty cap on top. Her other hand holds a shield bearing the word “Liberty”. The reverse features an eagle with a shield at its chest and an olive branch and bundle of arrows in its talons. Design modifications including adding and removing arrows around the date, rays around the eagle, and the permanent addition of the motto “In God We Trust” on a banner above the eagle.

The arrows and rays mentioned as design changes actually represented changes to the standard silver content within the denomination. From 1853 to 1873, the weight of the coins was lowered from 13.37 grams to 12.4 grams, as the rising price of silver created the possibility of mass melting. The silver content was increased slightly from 1873 until the end of the series in 1891 to 12.5 grams, which would also carry over to the subsequent Barber Half Dollars series.

Seated Liberty Half Dollars were struck at the Philadelphia, New Orleans, Carson City, and San Francisco Mint facilities. A number of low mintage rarities exist for some of the branch mint issues.

Seated Liberty Half Dollar Coin Specifications

halves Seated Liberty

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