Seated Liberty Half Dime Values
How Much Seated Liberty Half Dimes are Worth: Seated Liberty Half Dime Values & Coin Price Chart
Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | U-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1800 | P | Plain 4- Stemless Wreath | Red-brown | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | 1200 | 1100 |
| Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1837 | (None) Phil | Large Date | -- | $86 | $130 | $201 | $323 | $512 | $838 | $1,440.00 | $1,895.00 | $2,890.00 | $4,675.00 |
| 1837 | (None) Phil | Small Date | -- | $86 | $130 | $201 | $323 | $512 | $852 | $1,481.00 | $1,950.00 | $3,028.00 | $5,005.00 |
| 1838 | O | -- | -- | $324 | $610 | $1,096.00 | $2,602.00 | $4,175.00 | $6,888.00 | $13,000.00 | $20,800.00 | $31,125.00 | $50,750.00 |
| 1838 | (None) Phil | No Drapery | -- | $53 | $61 | $81 | $150 | $226 | $414 | $628 | $919 | $1,530.00 | $2,728.00 |
| 1838 | (None) Phil | Small stars | -- | $76 | $102 | $160 | $260 | $338 | $803 | $1,238.00 | $1,693.00 | $4,595.00 | $6,975.00 |
| 1839 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $53 | $61 | $81 | $150 | $226 | $428 | $656 | $919 | $1,585.00 | $3,003.00 |
| 1839 | O | -- | -- | $54 | $64 | $91 | $227 | $454 | $1,265.00 | $2,455.00 | $4,388.00 | $11,750.00 | $18,950.00 |
| 1840 | (None) Phil | No Drapery | -- | $53 | $61 | $81 | $150 | $226 | $414 | $628 | $919 | $1,585.00 | $3,140.00 |
| 1840 | O | No Drapery | -- | $175 | $258 | $306 | $602 | $755 | $2,130.00 | $5,545.00 | $12,825.00 | $24,925.00 | $19,800.00 |
| 1840 | (None) Phil | Drapery | -- | $100 | $146 | $180 | $260 | $346 | $545 | $1,002.00 | $1,738.00 | $2,768.00 | $7,550.00 |
| 1840 | O | Drapery | -- | $205 | $297 | $465 | $866 | $1,715.00 | $7,275.00 | $25,175.00 | $33,000.00 | -- | -- |
| 1841 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $48 | $58 | $88 | $153 | $251 | $379 | $623 | $1,040.00 | $1,688.00 |
| 1841 | O | -- | -- | $127 | $173 | $223 | $343 | $443 | $1,300.00 | $2,780.00 | $3,845.00 | $8,575.00 | $13,375.00 |
| 1842 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $48 | $58 | $88 | $153 | $296 | $415 | $715 | $1,398.00 | $1,965.00 |
| 1842 | O | -- | -- | $162 | $273 | $472 | $753 | $1,068.00 | $1,638.00 | $2,365.00 | $4,965.00 | $14,300.00 | $24,750.00 |
| 1843 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $48 | $58 | $88 | $153 | $256 | $483 | $778 | $1,417.00 | $2,255.00 |
| 1844 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $41 | $49 | $63 | $130 | $213 | $457 | $656 | $828 | $1,328.00 | $1,990.00 |
| 1844 | O | -- | -- | $243 | $370 | $730 | $1,660.00 | $2,600.00 | $7,550.00 | $11,200.00 | $16,600.00 | $26,000.00 | -- |
| 1845 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $48 | $58 | $88 | $153 | $254 | $440 | $664 | $1,087.00 | $1,585.00 |
| 1846 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,467.00 | $2,005.00 | $2,820.00 | $4,965.00 | $7,738.00 | $23,650.00 | $49,350.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1847 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $48 | $58 | $88 | $160 | $251 | $385 | $713 | $1,273.00 | $2,490.00 |
| 1848 | (None) Phil | Medium Date | -- | $40 | $48 | $58 | $96 | $173 | $377 | $617 | $1,715.00 | $2,738.00 | $5,915.00 |
| 1848 | (None) Phil | Large Date | -- | $60 | $99 | $155 | $247 | $458 | $913 | $1,843.00 | $2,625.00 | $5,725.00 | $17,750.00 |
| 1848 | O | -- | -- | $58 | $81 | $132 | $259 | $390 | $675 | $1,090.00 | $1,840.00 | $2,905.00 | $4,650.00 |
| 1849 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $48 | $58 | $88 | $153 | $310 | $670 | $1,065.00 | $1,770.00 | $2,963.00 |
| 1849/6 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $91 | $133 | $156 | $246 | $390 | $830 | $1,273.00 | $1,763.00 | $2,518.00 | $4,275.00 |
| 1849/6 | (None) Phil | 9 Over Widely Placed 6 | -- | $110 | $162 | $209 | $325 | $458 | $990 | $1,743.00 | $2,185.00 | $3,900.00 | $6,340.00 |
| 1849/6 | (None) Phil | Overdate FS-302 (001.55) | -- | $140 | $190 | $250 | $425 | $500 | $1,150.00 | $2,150.00 | $2,600.00 | $6,500.00 | $8,750.00 |
| 1849 | O | -- | -- | $191 | $285 | $372 | $700 | $1,120.00 | $2,740.00 | $4,580.00 | $7,780.00 | $12,125.00 | $17,300.00 |
| 1850 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $48 | $50 | $88 | $153 | $251 | $393 | $623 | $885 | $1,267.00 |
| 1850 | O | -- | -- | $41 | $54 | $82 | $186 | $312 | $803 | $1,813.00 | $4,175.00 | $6,250.00 | $9,625.00 |
| 1851 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $48 | $58 | $88 | $153 | $265 | $399 | $628 | $1,028.00 | $1,560.00 |
| 1851 | O | -- | -- | $45 | $51 | $68 | $151 | $287 | $570 | $1,165.00 | $2,020.00 | $3,940.00 | $7,125.00 |
| 1852 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $48 | $58 | $88 | $153 | $251 | $399 | $584 | $1,079.00 | $1,425.00 |
| 1852 | O | -- | -- | $96 | $140 | $202 | $363 | $567 | $1,273.00 | $3,070.00 | $5,850.00 | $9,585.00 | $15,075.00 |
| 1853 | (None) Phil | No Arrows | -- | $109 | $165 | $238 | $393 | $587 | $830 | $1,343.00 | $1,883.00 | $2,380.00 | $3,475.00 |
| 1853 | O | No Arrows | -- | $623 | $1,088.00 | $1,588.00 | $3,445.00 | $4,913.00 | $12,725.00 | $18,400.00 | $27,250.00 | $39,150.00 | -- |
| 1853 | (None) Phil | Arrows | -- | $40 | $50 | $58 | $130 | $151 | $244 | $379 | $572 | $1,054.00 | $1,585.00 |
| 1853 | O | Arrows | -- | $46 | $50 | $68 | $137 | $208 | $498 | $1,270.00 | $1,978.00 | $5,075.00 | $6,860.00 |
| 1854 | (None) Phil | Arrows | -- | $45 | $51 | $70 | $99 | $151 | $244 | $379 | $534 | $1,304.00 | $2,025.00 |
| 1854 | O | Arrows | -- | $40 | $52 | $63 | $117 | $229 | $465 | $935 | $1,505.00 | $3,803.00 | $7,475.00 |
| 1855 | (None) Phil | Arrows | -- | $40 | $75 | $58 | $99 | $151 | $244 | $379 | $634 | $1,453.00 | $4,425.00 |
| 1855 | O | Arrows | -- | $41 | $57 | $79 | $208 | $288 | $875 | $1,268.00 | $2,380.00 | $5,600.00 | $10,650.00 |
| 1856 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $50 | $50 | $75 | $88 | $153 | $251 | $379 | $606 | $755 | $1,287.00 |
| 1856 | O | -- | -- | $40 | $49 | $62 | $122 | $260 | $545 | $971 | $1,505.00 | $2,963.00 | $5,950.00 |
| 1857 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $50 | $60 | $58 | $88 | $153 | $251 | $379 | $606 | $755 | $1,087.00 |
| 1857 | O | -- | -- | $48 | $55 | $65 | $109 | $206 | $440 | $664 | $965 | $1,245.00 | $1,970.00 |
| 1858 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $48 | $58 | $88 | $153 | $251 | $379 | $606 | $755 | $1,087.00 |
| 1858 | (None) Phil | Over Inverted Date | -- | $123 | $163 | $207 | $342 | $424 | $1,038.00 | $1,965.00 | $3,888.00 | $5,175.00 | $9,550.00 |
| 1858 | O | -- | -- | $43 | $50 | $60 | $114 | $161 | $312 | $455 | $650 | $1,279.00 | $2,000.00 |
| 1859 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $49 | $59 | $91 | $159 | $262 | $390 | $617 | $783 | $1,087.00 |
| 1859 | O | -- | -- | $48 | $75 | $104 | $182 | $249 | $440 | $595 | $1,052.00 | $1,480.00 | $4,195.00 |
| 1860 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $46 | $52 | $80 | $114 | $213 | $313 | $461 | $663 | $1,038.00 |
| 1860 | O | -- | -- | $42 | $49 | $56 | $94 | $136 | $268 | $495 | $778 | $1,127.00 | $2,290.00 |
| 1861 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $42 | $60 | $54 | $120 | $114 | $213 | $313 | $461 | $675 | $1,590.00 |
| 1861 | (None) Phil | 1/0' | -- | $61 | $99 | $146 | $253 | $315 | $592 | $780 | $1,300.00 | $1,753.00 | $2,878.00 |
| 1862 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $46 | $52 | $80 | $114 | $213 | $313 | $461 | $663 | $1,038.00 |
| 1863 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $314 | $401 | $447 | $562 | $664 | $858 | $1,049.00 | $1,279.00 | $1,840.00 | $2,408.00 |
| 1863 | S | -- | -- | $94 | $143 | $184 | $310 | $455 | $858 | $1,218.00 | $1,825.00 | $4,358.00 | $5,713.00 |
| 1864 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $592 | $874 | $999 | $1,187.00 | $1,303.00 | $1,455.00 | $1,660.00 | $2,048.00 | $2,600.00 | $3,650.00 |
| 1864 | S | -- | -- | $178 | $241 | $330 | $570 | $761 | $1,065.00 | $1,710.00 | $2,980.00 | $4,495.00 | $9,775.00 |
| 1865 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $532 | $761 | $852 | $1,077.00 | $1,230.00 | $1,423.00 | $1,605.00 | $1,738.00 | $2,850.00 | $3,375.00 |
| 1865 | S | -- | -- | $98 | $143 | $205 | $388 | $675 | $1,273.00 | $2,600.00 | $4,275.00 | $9,575.00 | $20,750.00 |
| 1866 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $589 | $717 | $788 | $990 | $1,145.00 | $1,435.00 | $1,783.00 | $2,025.00 | $3,620.00 | $4,340.00 |
| 1866 | S | -- | -- | $64 | $94 | $139 | $247 | $390 | $648 | $1,273.00 | $1,965.00 | $5,420.00 | $8,050.00 |
| 1867 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $651 | $827 | $872 | $963 | $1,082.00 | $1,300.00 | $1,743.00 | $2,138.00 | $3,180.00 | $4,550.00 |
| 1867 | S | -- | -- | $98 | $143 | $180 | $272 | $342 | $775 | $1,234.00 | $2,103.00 | $3,430.00 | $6,850.00 |
| 1868 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $117 | $179 | $236 | $357 | $443 | $700 | $1,010.00 | $1,287.00 | $1,480.00 | $2,600.00 |
| 1868 | S | -- | -- | $40 | $47 | $56 | $90 | $164 | $410 | $628 | $920 | $1,840.00 | $4,495.00 |
| 1869 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $47 | $64 | $101 | $140 | $297 | $438 | $739 | $880 | $1,328.00 |
| 1869 | S | -- | -- | $45 | $52 | $77 | $137 | $211 | $454 | $1,163.00 | $2,075.00 | $4,260.00 | $7,000.00 |
| 1870 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $50 | $46 | $52 | $80 | $114 | $213 | $313 | $607 | $910 | $1,660.00 |
| 1870 | (None) Phil | -- | Proof Like | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,350.00 | -- | -- |
| 1870 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,300,000.00 | $3,525,000.00 | -- | -- |
| 1871 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $46 | $52 | $80 | $114 | $213 | $313 | $461 | $663 | $1,163.00 |
| 1871 | S | -- | -- | $46 | $54 | $71 | $114 | $190 | $328 | $507 | $789 | $1,660.00 | $4,000.00 |
| 1872 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $40 | $50 | $60 | $80 | $114 | $213 | $313 | $461 | $663 | $1,198.00 |
| 1872 | S | Mintmark Below Bow | -- | $40 | $46 | $52 | $80 | $114 | $213 | $438 | $598 | $725 | $1,190.00 |
| 1872 | S | Mintmark Above Bow | -- | $40 | $46 | $52 | $80 | $114 | $213 | $313 | $523 | $750 | $1,343.00 |
| 1873 | (None) Phil | -- | Proof Like | $50 | $46 | $52 | $80 | $114 | $213 | $313 | $461 | $1,030.00 | $2,020.00 |
| 1873 | S | -- | -- | $40 | $47 | $55 | $83 | $114 | $213 | $313 | $523 | $778 | $1,550.00 |
| 1968 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $5,500.00 |
History of the Seated Liberty Half Dime
The Seated Liberty Half Dime was minted from 1837 to 1873 and was created by Christian Gobrecht. In the obverse is Lady Liberty seated with stars or inscription variations, while the reverse features a wreath with the denomination prominently displayed, evolving in style during the series.
Over its run, the coin underwent multiple design modifications, such as the addition of drapery from Liberty’s elbow and arrows at the date to indicate weight changes. The half dime circulated widely in American commerce before and during the early years of the Civil War. As silver coins were withdrawn from circulation and replaced by paper currency, the series became an important reflection of the nation’s changing economy.
Rarest Coins in the Series
- 1846 Philadelphia: A rare date with limited surviving specimens.
- 1853-O No Arrows: A distinctive variety without the arrows used to denote weight changes, resulting in a limited number of surviving examples.
- 1863 Philadelphia: A Civil War era issue with a lower mintage.
- 1864 Philadelphia: Another scarce coin from the wartime period.
- 1870 (Unique Specimen): Only one known example exists, making it one of the most famous rarities in American numismatics despite no official record of mintage that year.
Types of Collections
- Basic Date Collection: Focuses on acquiring common circulated dates to build an introductory set.
- Variety Collection: Includes arrows and no-arrows dates, subtypes with different inscriptions around Liberty, and unique mint marks.
- Mint Mark Collection: Collects coins from Philadelphia (no mint mark), New Orleans (O), and San Francisco (S), emphasizing rarer mint marks.
- High Grade Collection: Focuses on Mint State and certified examples, valued for their preservation and condition.
Beginner vs. Advanced Collecting
Beginner Collecting
The Seated Liberty Half Dime series spans many dates and mintmarks and can be complex, yet beginners can start with more common dates in lower grades. Focus on modestly priced, problem-free coins from reputable dealers or well-established online marketplaces that list certified coins. Pay attention to clear dates, readable legends, and minimal damage. Use these coins to learn to identify mintmarks where present (“O” for New Orleans, “S” for San Francisco, and no mintmark for Philadelphia) and to recognize arrows at the date, which appear on certain years to indicate weight changes. Store your collection in archival-quality holders in a dry, stable environment.
Advanced Collecting
Advanced collectors are often drawn to the Seated Liberty Half Dime for its rare dates, subtle varieties, and challenging mintmark combinations. Building a full or high-grade set frequently requires years of research, patience, and careful budgeting. Some of the most notable pieces, such as the exceptionally rare 1870-S, documented in only a handful of examples, have surfaced only through major auction houses and similar well-established venues and are typically studied more than actively pursued. For scarce dates and high-value coins, verify authenticity and condition thoroughly. Certified holders and climate-controlled storage are essential to preserve delicate silver surfaces and protect long-term value.
Investment Potential
Collectors prize coins such as the 1844-O, 1853-O “No Arrows,” 1863 (Philadelphia), and the one-known half dime released in 1870 because of their low mintages and historical context. Condition plays a major role in pricing; certified Mint State examples carry the highest premiums. Collectors who pursue scarce dates in the Seated Liberty Half Dime series often find enduring collector interest due to the series’ historical depth and limited mintages.