Seated Liberty Half Dime (1837–1873)

The Story of the Seated Liberty Half Dime!

The Seated Liberty Half Dime succeeded the Bust Half Dime. It underwent several modifications over the years, evolving with the minting technological advancements. It was produced at three different mints: New Orleans, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. The coin series bears unique identification mintmarks and date for details about its mintage and issuing year.

The Seated Half Dime weighed 1.34 grams between 1837 and 1852, while the weight dropped to 1.24 grams between 1853 and 1855. Though the silver content in both versions remainsed at 90%, the weight varies due to the different minting regulations process of the two versions of the Seated Half Dime. The 1860 series of the half dime is one of the most sought-after versions, increasing its value.

At the beginning of 1860, the Philadelphia Mint struck proof editions, amassing significant amounts of the Dime. Following this, the San Francisco Mint began producing the Dimes featuring its grand ‘S’ mintmark. However, due to economic conditions, they had a relatively low number of struck coins between 1863 and 1870, giving the Half Dime value an advantage for its rare find.

The Seated Liberty Half Dime was last struck in 1873, with Congress passing a motion that looked to give a spin to the coinage system right from the top. Its rich and varied history attracts discerning collectors and investors.

A Comprehensive Guide for the Dime’s Mintage and Design

The first issue of the Seated Liberty Half Dime did not have a star border until 1838. While the design did not undergo drastic changes, there are a few differences, like two coins having different designs of the “1” number denoting the year the coin was minted.

At the beginning of 1838, the Seated Liberty half dime was struck by New Orleans, which was identified by the O mintmark found the coins. It wasn't until 1863 that the San Francisco Mint began minting the Seated Liberty half dime bearing their mintmark. The reverse bears the mintmarks associating the coin with the mint.

The 1853 Seated Liberty Half Dime saw the introduction of arrowheads surrounding the year of mintage that are often associated with the exact series where the coin's weight had dropped from 1.34 grams to 1.24 grams. The Half Dime value rose due to the fall in weight of the Seated Half Dime, which saw people hoarding these silver dimes.

Another peculiarity is the inception of a raised dot placed right below the date engravings on the 1853 Seated Liberty Half Dime. The mystery of its appearance puzzles coin collectors to this day. Following this, the Cereal Wreath update, borne from James Longacre's mind, is considered the most popular redesigned element of the Seated Half Dime.

Types of the Seated Liberty Half Dimes

The Seated Liberty Half Dime series contains fascinating pieces that garner interest from numismatics due to their redesigns during the years they were minted. Featuring exquisite designs and engravings combined with symbols of historical significance, it added to the premise of the seated half dime as a unique coin series. Let’s take a look at these types in detail.

What Influences Seated Liberty Half Dime Prices?

One of the most significant factors contributing to the deemed value of the Seated Liberty Half Dime is its condition. The conditions are graded then with a scale, placing them at higher grades owing to mint conditions. The better that the coins are preserved adds significant value to the coin. If the coin has scratches and other tarnishings, it will receive a relatively lower grade, adversely impacting its overall value.

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The Mint Year refers to an inscription on the coin stating the year it was struck. Years that saw lower numbers of the Seated half-dime coins minted, such as the 1853-O No Arrows type, make the coins bearing that Mint Year all the more rare and valuable. Other factors, such as happenings of historical significance associated with the mint year, can also increase your coin's value.

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The Seated Liberty Half Dime series was minted across prominent mints in the US, with mintmarks indicating each location's origin. These mintmarks include -

Seated Half Dime Values

Here’s a sample of expected values, but check dealer websites regularly to find the best prices:

Understanding Grading and Value

Obverse: The Seated Liberty Half Dime’s mint state can be identified by the clear designs of Lady Liberty’s portrait. With her prominent features like the delicate gown she’s wearing or her flowing hair, what defines the mint condition is the ability of these details to be visible while still possessing their original smoothness, which indicates that the coin is in uncirculated condition. A key aspect is the high relief of the thighs and shins of Liberty, which should not suggest any wear.

Reverse: The reverse of the Seated half dime featuring two tied-wreaths is vital in determining the mint state of the coin. Smoothing of the leaves encapsulated within the wreath will suggest wear. The bow without flattening is a sure indicator of a high-value coin.

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Obverse: The obverse of the coin will show signs of wear and hamper the original sheen of the design. Liberty's hair and face might have flattened. Her left arm will possess a smoothing around the area where she’s seen clutching the shield. The knees might also be less defined; the fine detail is visibly diminished due to flattening. Extremely Fine grade possess such minor details of smoothening in these areas.

Reverse: On the reverse, wear has only minimally softened the topmost leaves, with each leaf having its respective salient details. Central details are visible in most upper leaves, showing a well-defined appearance. The bow is preserved, with its loops and upper details maintaining sharpness, displaying only light smoothing and slight flatness. The ends of the ribbon retain fine details, and the knot remains separate from the stems. The reverse holds a crisp, bold look overall, which helps confirm the coin’s classification in the extremely fine grade.

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Obverse: In the Fine grade, visible wear covers much of the coin’s surface, softening many intricate details so that only the major elements remain distinct. On closer inspection, there’s still a hint of hair detail at the back of Liberty’s head, though the features are largely worn. Her neckline is faint, but it’s just visible.

A key indicator of the Fine grade is the pole that crosses in front of Liberty’s arm, which remains true to the design and easily identifiable. The word "Liberty" across the scroll on the shield is readable, though the letters appear worn and faded in places. Importantly, the scroll itself is well-defined and doesn’t blend into the shield.

Reverse: The reverse side centers around the leaf clusters, which in the Fine grade remain separate and distinct, though the groupings near the letters "D" and "E" in "DIME" may begin to merge in places. This slight merging is sometimes due to differences in striking. The topmost leaves in the clusters have become smooth with wear.

The bow at the base is clear, and its knot is well-defined, staying separated from the stems on either side. It helps confirm the coin’s quality as falling squarely within the Fine grade.

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Obverse: In the Good grade, Liberty’s profile has been worn down to a mostly smooth surface, which is characteristic of extensive wear. For a coin to be classified in this grade, Liberty’s outline must remain clear and distinctly raised from the field, though details are minimal. A well-defined rim is essential, with stars around the edge remaining separate and not merging into the rim. If the word “Liberty” has entirely faded from the shield, the coin falls within the Good grade.

Reverse: On the reverse, wear has erased individual leaf edges, blending them into smooth clusters. The coin qualifies for the Good grade once the leaves lose their definition and merge. However, the wreath outline remains intact, and the bow remains visible without blending into the background. The legend letters are readable, though some fading may occur, mainly at the tops. A distinct rim around the coin is another indicator, even if some areas show slight weakness; a strong, complete rim reflects a well-struck example for this grade.