Design and Specifications of the Liberty Seated Half Dime

The Liberty Seated Half Dime series was part of a broader redesign of American coinage initiated in the late 1830s. It replaced the Capped Bust design and represented a more unified aesthetic across denominations. The series saw several minor design modifications throughout its run, including the addition of stars and arrows to denote weight changes.
Weight 1.34 grams
Diameter 15.5 mm
Mint Marks Philadelphia (no mint mark), New Orleans (O), San Francisco (S)
Composition 90% silver, 10% copper
Obverse Design Seated Liberty figure holding a shield with 'LIBERTY' inscribed on a banner, designed by Christian Gobrecht
Reverse Design Wreath surrounding the denomination 'HALF DIME', designed by Christian Gobrecht
Years of Minting 1837-1873

Collectibility and Rare Varieties

The condition of Liberty Seated Half Dimes significantly impacts their value, with uncirculated specimens commanding substantial premiums. Key dates and mint marks can greatly increase rarity and value. Varieties such as the 1859 transitional issue and overdate errors (like 1849/6) are highly sought after by collectors and can command significant premiums.
1870-S Only 4,000 minted; extremely rare
1873-S Unknown mintage; possibly none released, extremely rare if found
1853-O No Arrows 160,000 minted; rare due to transition year
1846 Philadelphia 27,000 minted; very rare in all grades

Explore Liberty Seated Half Dime Values by Year

1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873

Most Valuable Liberty Seated Half Dime

This section highlights the most valuable coins in the series, based on PCGS price guides. The table shows price ranges for each coin in various conditions.

Coin Name Circulated Price Uncirculated Price
1853 Half Dime Arrows (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $275.00 –
1858 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $275.00 –
1854 Half Dime Arrows (Regular Strike) $25.00 – $275.00 –
1856 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $275.00 –
1857 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $25.00 – $275.00 –
1838 Half Dime No Drapery, Small Stars (Regular Strike) $65.00 – $750.00 –
1872 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $250.00 –
1837 Half Dime Seated, Small Date (Regular Strike) $50.00 – $875.00 –
1840 Half Dime No Drapery (Regular Strike) $40.00 – $475.00 –
1871 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $250.00 –
1850 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $275.00 –
1845 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $275.00 –
1852 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $275.00 –
1863 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $150.00 – $950.00 –
1851 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $275.00 –
1853 Half Dime No Arrows (Regular Strike) $35.00 – $975.00 –
1858-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $375.00 –
1857-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $35.00 – $475.00 –
1862 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $250.00 –
1843 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $275.00 –
1860 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $25.00 – $250.00 –
1842 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $25.00 – $325.00 –
1848 Half Dime Large Date (Regular Strike) $50.00 – $900.00 –
1849 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $375.00 –
1861 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $250.00 –
1861 '1/0' Half Dime (Regular Strike) $40.00 – $650.00 –
1847 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $275.00 –
1838 Half Dime No Drapery, Large Stars (Regular Strike) $40.00 – $475.00 –
1856-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $35.00 – $550.00 –
1853-O Half Dime Arrows (Regular Strike) $40.00 – $550.00 –
1873 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $250.00 –
1841 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $25.00 – $275.00 –
1855 Half Dime Arrows (Regular Strike) $25.00 – $275.00 –
1864 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $250.00 – $1,650.00 –
1859 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $275.00 –
1854-O Half Dime Arrows (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $550.00 –
1840 Half Dime Drapery (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $600.00 –
1850-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $35.00 – $750.00 –
1870 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $25.00 – $250.00 –
1837 Half Dime Seated, Large Date (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $875.00 –
1844 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $25.00 – $525.00 –
1872-S Half Dime Mintmark Below Bow (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $250.00 –
1839 Half Dime No Drapery (Regular Strike) $40.00 – $475.00 –
1851-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $25.00 – $550.00 –
1865 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $300.00 – $1,750.00 –
1841-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $1,250.00 –
1871-S Half Dime (Regular Strike) $25.00 – $400.00 –
1855-O Half Dime Arrows (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $1,100.00 –
1863-S Half Dime (Regular Strike) $40.00 – $950.00 –
1839-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $40.00 – $1,450.00 –
1842-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $1,800.00 –
1848-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $25.00 – $750.00 –
1852-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $50.00 – $1,250.00 –
1845 Half Dime (Proof) – $30,000.00 – $125,000.00
1860-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $35.00 – $250.00 –
1870-S Half Dime (Regular Strike) – $3,750,000.00
1873-S Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $250.00 –
1844-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $7,000.00 –
1849-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $150.00 – $3,000.00 –
1853-O Half Dime No Arrows (Regular Strike) $250.00 – $11,500.00 –
1859-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $45.00 – $525.00 –
1864-S Half Dime (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $1,150.00 –
1862 Half Dime (Proof) – $400.00 – $8,500.00
1840-O Half Dime Drapery (Regular Strike) $175.00 – $8,000.00 –
1858 Half Dime Over Inverted Date (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $1,100.00 –
1847 Half Dime (Proof) – $17,500.00 – $50,000.00
1865-S Half Dime (Regular Strike) $40.00 – $1,350.00 –
1860 Half Dime (Proof) – $400.00 – $8,500.00
1838-O Half Dime (Regular Strike) $100.00 – $7,500.00 –
1837 Half Dime Seated (Proof) – $10,000.00 – $125,000.00
1840-O Half Dime No Drapery (Regular Strike) $125.00 – $2,100.00 –
1838 Half Dime No Drapery (Proof) – $50,000.00 – $150,000.00
1839 Half Dime No Drapery (Proof) – $40,000.00 – $55,000.00
1840 Half Dime No Drapery (Proof) – $50,000.00 – $125,000.00
1846 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $600.00 – $22,500.00 –
1848 Half Dime Medium Date (Regular Strike) $25.00 – $350.00 –
1849/6 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $900.00 –
1849/6 Half Dime 9 Over Widely Placed 6 (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $1,025.00 –
1841 Half Dime (Proof) – $22,500.00 – $50,000.00
1842 Half Dime (Proof) – $40,000.00 – $55,000.00
1843 Half Dime (Proof) – $22,500.00 – $85,000.00
1844 Half Dime (Proof) – $12,500.00 – $60,000.00
1846 Half Dime (Proof) – $17,500.00 – $75,000.00
1848 Half Dime (Proof) – $22,500.00 – $30,000.00
1849 Half Dime (Proof) – $22,500.00 – $65,000.00
1850 Half Dime (Proof) – $35,000.00
1852 Half Dime (Proof) – $12,500.00 – $50,000.00
1856 Half Dime (Proof) – $3,500.00 – $15,000.00
1857 Half Dime (Proof) – $675.00 – $15,000.00
1858 Half Dime (Proof) $650.00 – $750.00 –
1859 Half Dime (Proof) – $650.00 – $30,000.00
1853 Half Dime Arrows (Proof) – $125,000.00
1854 Half Dime Arrows (Proof) – $7,500.00 – $27,500.00
1855 Half Dime Arrows (Proof) – $6,000.00 – $40,000.00
1866 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $300.00 – $1,550.00 –
1866-S Half Dime (Regular Strike) $40.00 – $750.00 –
1867 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $400.00 – $1,450.00 –
1867-S Half Dime (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $850.00 –
1868 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $50.00 – $800.00 –
1868-S Half Dime (Regular Strike) $25.00 – $475.00 –
1869 Half Dime (Regular Strike) $40.00 – $350.00 –
1869-S Half Dime (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $550.00 –
1872-S Half Dime Mintmark Above Bow (Regular Strike) $25.00 – $250.00 –
1861 Half Dime (Proof) $300.00 – $350.00 –
1863 Half Dime (Proof) $200.00 – $350.00 –
1864 Half Dime (Proof) $300.00 – $350.00 –
1865 Half Dime (Proof) $250.00 – $350.00 –
1866 Half Dime (Proof) $300.00 – $350.00 –
1867 Half Dime (Proof) $250.00 – $350.00 –
1868 Half Dime (Proof) $300.00 – $350.00 –
1869 Half Dime (Proof) $300.00 – $350.00 –
1870 Half Dime (Proof) $250.00 – $350.00 –

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Chris McPherson is a lifelong collector turned shop owner who opened ChrisMcPherson's Souvenir Shop in 2005. With over 20 years as a professional antique dealer and appraiser, Chris expertly curates a selection of the most unique political, pop culture, and historic collectibles available. His passion is hunting one-of-a-kind artifacts and sharing the fascinating stories behind them. Chris graduated with a BA in American History, informing his specialty in political memorabilia. As a seasoned antique hunter, Chris utilizes his skills to deliver an ever-changing inventory of must-see relics and conversation pieces to his shop.

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