Liberty Seated Half Dollar (1839 - 1891)

Overview

Within the larger Seated Liberty series, this coin portrays the expansion and change the United States underwent throughout the 19th century. The second variation of the half dollar ever made was the seated half dollar, commonly known as the seated liberty half dollar. Originally first introduced in 1839, the currency was considerably different from the Bust Half Dollar before it.

Liberty is seen on the obverse, seated on a cliff, clutching a liberty hat on a pole with her left hand and a shield stamped LIBERTY with her right hand. Thirteen stars ring the top border; the date is at the bottom. The reverse is like the previous kind, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and HALF DOL below and an eagle seated on an olive branch clutching three arrows.

Reflecting changes in U.S. coinage rules and engraving preferences, the Liberty Seated Half Dollar saw multiple design variations throughout its 52-year manufacturing lifetime:

• • No Motto (1839-1866): The early years lacked the phrase "IN GOD WE TRUST."
• • Arrow and Rays (1853): Little arrows showed up on either side of the date, and rays were put behind the eagle.
• • Arrow Only (1873-1874): Arrows were positioned next to the date.
• • With Motto (1866-1891): Above the eagle, "IN GOD WE TRUST" was added.

Seated Half Dollars in perfect condition are the most sought-after varieties. Seated half-dollar coins were created for such a long period that they are not difficult to locate overall but rather quite rare in perfect condition. Examples abound in all grades from Good to About Uncirculated, much like the 1853 arrows and ray type. Though inherently rare, uncirculated pieces are not as rare as the "with ray" type.

The Liberty Seated Half Dollar provides collectors with a wide spectrum of rarities given millions of coins struck at different U.S. Mint locations. Especially sought after are key years like the 1878-S and the 1855-S. Collectors also highly value those half-dollars created in and around the years of the Civil War. Given the significance of this chapter in American history, it is not surprising that collectors find them appealing.