Seated Liberty Half Dollar Values
How Much Seated Liberty Half Dollars are Worth: Seated Liberty Half Dollar 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1839 | (None) Phil | No Drapery | -- | $544 | $675 | $1,245.00 | $3,025.00 | $4,940.00 | $11,900.00 | $26,550.00 | $47,975.00 | $161,800.00 | $278,000.00 |
| 1839 | (None) Phil | Drapery | -- | $99 | $136 | $204 | $432 | $705 | $2,490.00 | $4,825.00 | $7,413.00 | $20,700.00 | -- |
| 1840 | (None) Phil | Small Letters | -- | $143 | $161 | $200 | $390 | $545 | $1,190.00 | $2,130.00 | $3,845.00 | $10,375.00 | $23,650.00 |
| 1840 | O | Medium Letters | -- | $468 | $830 | $1,040.00 | $1,955.00 | $2,780.00 | $6,720.00 | $11,700.00 | $17,650.00 | $71,500.00 | -- |
| 1840 | O | -- | -- | $101 | $137 | $350 | $363 | $494 | $2,365.00 | $5,975.00 | $18,995.00 | $22,000.00 | $49,250.00 |
| 1841 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $109 | $140 | $208 | $440 | $703 | $1,535.00 | $3,390.00 | $5,575.00 | $13,425.00 | -- |
| 1841 | O | -- | -- | $109 | $145 | $222 | $480 | $858 | $1,910.00 | $3,693.00 | $7,975.00 | $16,750.00 | $29,750.00 |
| 1842 | (None) Phil | Rev of 1842 | -- | $133 | $171 | $226 | $355 | $678 | $1,895.00 | $3,745.00 | $6,138.00 | $14,025.00 | -- |
| 1842 | O | Small Date, Rev 1839 | -- | $1,323.00 | $1,840.00 | $2,490.00 | $4,025.00 | $7,065.00 | $19,650.00 | $27,500.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1842 | (None) Phil | Medium Date | -- | $85 | $106 | $147 | $269 | $455 | $1,245.00 | $2,490.00 | $3,585.00 | $9,439.00 | $27,250.00 |
| 1842 | O | Medium Date, Rev 1842 | -- | $96 | $133 | $203 | $458 | $975 | $3,040.00 | $6,000.00 | $8,075.00 | $23,650.00 | $30,800.00 |
| 1843 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $72 | $96 | $129 | $308 | $484 | $1,140.00 | $2,490.00 | $3,805.00 | $7,410.00 | $19,650.00 |
| 1843 | O | -- | -- | $101 | $127 | $164 | $278 | $495 | $1,908.00 | $3,635.00 | $9,675.00 | $28,500.00 | $24,995.00 |
| 1844 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $72 | $98 | $143 | $260 | $425 | $963 | $2,130.00 | $24,995.00 | $8,250.00 | -- |
| 1844 | O | -- | -- | $89 | $117 | $175 | $346 | $559 | $1,895.00 | $3,900.00 | $5,725.00 | $14,300.00 | -- |
| 1844 | O | Doubled Date | -- | $1,193.00 | $1,478.00 | $2,005.00 | $3,610.00 | $5,615.00 | $7,635.00 | $22,000.00 | $46,750.00 | -- | -- |
| 1845 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $100 | $137 | $202 | $473 | $780 | $1,910.00 | $4,675.00 | $11,150.00 | -- | -- |
| 1845 | O | -- | -- | $97 | $124 | $168 | $323 | $544 | $1,190.00 | $3,485.00 | $6,215.00 | $9,575.00 | $23,375.00 |
| 1845 | O | No Drapery | -- | $130 | $169 | $208 | $620 | $909 | $2,203.00 | $5,175.00 | $7,750.00 | -- | -- |
| 1846 | (None) Phil | Medium Date | -- | $74 | $96 | $129 | $255 | $498 | $1,204.00 | $2,560.00 | $5,700.00 | $13,750.00 | $17,600.00 |
| 1846 | (None) Phil | Tall Date | -- | $155 | $220 | $299 | $390 | $507 | $1,578.00 | $2,725.00 | $5,350.00 | $23,250.00 | $32,375.00 |
| 1846 | (None) Phil | 6/Horizontal 6 | -- | $498 | $783 | $1,175.00 | $2,185.00 | $3,180.00 | $7,000.00 | $10,430.00 | $44,495.00 | $16,500.00 | -- |
| 1846 | O | Medium Date | -- | $88 | $135 | $184 | $1,889.00 | $545 | $2,130.00 | $5,450.00 | $8,050.00 | $23,100.00 | -- |
| 1847 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $85 | $108 | $148 | $300 | $415 | $1,042.00 | $2,490.00 | $4,400.00 | $7,663.00 | $16,325.00 |
| 1847 | O | -- | -- | $73 | $98 | $139 | $305 | $495 | $1,508.00 | $5,450.00 | $15,495.00 | $17,100.00 | $27,695.00 |
| 1848 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $92 | $143 | $213 | $402 | $753 | $1,675.00 | $3,320.00 | $5,275.00 | $16,600.00 | -- |
| 1848 | O | -- | -- | $89 | $106 | $154 | $307 | $617 | $1,563.00 | $2,600.00 | $4,935.00 | $31,650.00 | $46,750.00 |
| 1849 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $85 | $106 | $145 | $283 | $479 | $1,470.00 | $3,135.00 | $3,930.00 | $14,475.00 | -- |
| 1849 | O | -- | -- | $85 | $109 | $166 | $396 | $770 | $1,590.00 | $3,915.00 | $5,475.00 | $25,600.00 | -- |
| 1850 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $623 | $728 | $858 | $1,065.00 | $1,378.00 | $2,185.00 | $4,605.00 | $8,300.00 | $36,250.00 | $67,500.00 |
| 1850 | O | -- | -- | $89 | $106 | $137 | $297 | $440 | $1,165.00 | $2,305.00 | $4,040.00 | $13,425.00 | $32,500.00 |
| 1851 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,063.00 | $1,270.00 | $1,605.00 | $2,310.00 | $2,725.00 | $4,150.00 | $5,340.00 | $7,280.00 | $13,590.00 | $45,250.00 |
| 1851 | O | -- | -- | $152 | $223 | $340 | $575 | $877 | $1,590.00 | $4,355.00 | $6,345.00 | $11,150.00 | $36,000.00 |
| 1852 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $700 | $880 | $1,195.00 | $2,075.00 | $2,845.00 | $4,040.00 | $5,200.00 | $6,513.00 | $15,950.00 | $24,650.00 |
| 1852 | O | -- | -- | $628 | $780 | $988 | $1,555.00 | $2,365.00 | $4,730.00 | $13,550.00 | $24,200.00 | $47,300.00 | -- |
| 1853 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $119 | $151 | $200 | $379 | $697 | $1,763.00 | $4,025.00 | $6,725.00 | $18,840.00 | $52,300.00 |
| 1853 | O | -- | -- | $119 | $159 | $252 | $650 | $1,175.00 | $3,650.00 | $8,600.00 | $16,950.00 | $65,300.00 | -- |
| 1854 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $82 | $101 | $131 | $215 | $306 | $773 | $1,550.00 | $2,755.00 | $7,175.00 | $13,940.00 |
| 1854 | O | -- | -- | $82 | $101 | $131 | $215 | $306 | $773 | $1,550.00 | $2,755.00 | $6,405.00 | $13,363.00 |
| 1855 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $82 | $101 | $131 | $220 | $454 | $1,168.00 | $2,755.00 | $4,495.00 | $13,750.00 | $32,250.00 |
| 1855/54 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $169 | $234 | $365 | $562 | $915 | $2,185.00 | $4,010.00 | $6,350.00 | $14,850.00 | $29,450.00 |
| 1855 | O | -- | -- | $82 | $101 | $131 | $215 | $306 | $773 | $1,605.00 | $2,755.00 | $6,658.00 | $15,995.00 |
| 1855 | S | -- | -- | $1,173.00 | $1,355.00 | $1,770.00 | $3,900.00 | $6,250.00 | $31,000.00 | $67,500.00 | $83,000.00 | $82,500.00 | $110,000.00 |
| 1856 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $72 | $96 | $129 | $229 | $393 | $810 | $1,743.00 | $3,200.00 | $6,250.00 | $16,200.00 |
| 1856 | O | -- | -- | $74 | $101 | $140 | $248 | $421 | $832 | $1,853.00 | $2,710.00 | $4,965.00 | $9,440.00 |
| 1856 | S | -- | -- | $285 | $468 | $637 | $1,412.00 | $2,172.00 | $6,725.00 | $11,563.00 | $31,000.00 | -- | -- |
| 1857 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $72 | $96 | $129 | $229 | $393 | $777 | $1,688.00 | $2,600.00 | $4,965.00 | $8,190.00 |
| 1857 | O | -- | -- | $72 | $96 | $137 | $298 | $508 | $2,020.00 | $4,675.00 | $6,763.00 | $15,500.00 | $22,000.00 |
| 1857 | S | -- | -- | $285 | $415 | $545 | $1,300.00 | $2,755.00 | $5,900.00 | $15,013.00 | $23,800.00 | $44,000.00 | $90,250.00 |
| 1858 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $72 | $96 | $129 | $229 | $393 | $777 | $1,688.00 | $2,600.00 | $5,215.00 | $8,690.00 |
| 1858 | O | -- | -- | $72 | $96 | $150 | $229 | $393 | $805 | $1,875.00 | $3,195.00 | $10,650.00 | $23,100.00 |
| 1858 | S | -- | -- | $114 | $155 | $259 | $477 | $825 | $2,130.00 | $4,563.00 | $8,025.00 | $16,750.00 | $39,300.00 |
| 1859 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $72 | $96 | $129 | $229 | $393 | $777 | $1,757.00 | $2,600.00 | $6,015.00 | $10,875.00 |
| 1859 | O | -- | -- | $76 | $100 | $425 | $234 | $407 | $935 | $2,755.00 | $4,013.00 | $8,300.00 | $14,950.00 |
| 1859 | S | -- | -- | $103 | $140 | $202 | $324 | $800 | $1,833.00 | $3,775.00 | $5,075.00 | $7,000.00 | $19,650.00 |
| 1860 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $72 | $96 | $129 | $237 | $413 | $893 | $1,770.00 | $2,558.00 | $5,478.00 | $19,650.00 |
| 1860 | O | -- | -- | $72 | $96 | $137 | $245 | $413 | $860 | $1,798.00 | $2,793.00 | $6,003.00 | $21,150.00 |
| 1860 | S | -- | -- | $107 | $141 | $177 | $415 | $573 | $2,005.00 | $5,920.00 | $16,495.00 | -- | -- |
| 1861 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $75 | $100 | $137 | $262 | $448 | $860 | $1,770.00 | $2,683.00 | $4,965.00 | $7,440.00 |
| 1861 | O | -- | -- | $155 | $227 | $323 | $610 | $749 | $1,923.00 | $4,025.00 | $5,465.00 | $8,795.00 | $22,000.00 |
| 1861 | S | -- | -- | $86 | $119 | $168 | $429 | $805 | $1,425.00 | $3,665.00 | $6,600.00 | $26,000.00 | $37,900.00 |
| 1862 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $127 | $191 | $259 | $465 | $675 | $1,434.00 | $2,575.00 | $4,040.00 | $6,985.00 | $18,950.00 |
| 1862 | S | -- | -- | $91 | $114 | $182 | $350 | $505 | $1,503.00 | $3,280.00 | $6,375.00 | $30,850.00 | $49,800.00 |
| 1863 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $163 | $246 | $328 | $640 | $913 | $1,328.00 | $2,033.00 | $2,765.00 | $8,975.00 | $30,995.00 |
| 1863 | S | -- | -- | $118 | $157 | $230 | $370 | $577 | $1,590.00 | $2,875.00 | $5,240.00 | $17,025.00 | $19,250.00 |
| 1864 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $151 | $246 | $407 | $678 | $954 | $1,963.00 | $3,055.00 | $4,825.00 | $8,575.00 | $15,350.00 |
| 1864 | S | -- | -- | $155 | $220 | $250 | $573 | $940 | $2,425.00 | $5,625.00 | $9,400.00 | $19,500.00 | $31,800.00 |
| 1865 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $158 | $197 | $299 | $803 | $1,225.00 | $2,420.00 | $3,412.00 | $4,150.00 | $5,325.00 | $14,395.00 |
| 1865 | S | -- | -- | $200 | $250 | $291 | $529 | $910 | $2,600.00 | $4,800.00 | $10,150.00 | $29,750.00 | -- |
| 1866 | S | No Motto | -- | $808 | $913 | $1,134.00 | $2,075.00 | $3,085.00 | $9,900.00 | $17,150.00 | $31,250.00 | $80,750.00 | $119,750.00 |
| 1866 | (None) Phil | Motto | -- | $88 | $106 | $136 | $317 | $419 | $930 | $2,033.00 | $3,500.00 | $5,918.00 | $10,463.00 |
| 1866 | S | Motto | -- | $91 | $122 | $300 | $303 | $493 | $1,480.00 | $3,070.00 | $3,900.00 | $13,275.00 | $26,150.00 |
| 1867 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $104 | $166 | $242 | $339 | $602 | $1,245.00 | $2,130.00 | $4,095.00 | $7,550.00 | $10,650.00 |
| 1867 | S | -- | -- | $83 | $122 | $166 | $285 | $598 | $2,200.00 | $3,693.00 | $5,615.00 | $12,615.00 | $21,575.00 |
| 1868 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $115 | $143 | $213 | $388 | $598 | $1,440.00 | $2,455.00 | $3,790.00 | $8,059.00 | $12,175.00 |
| 1868 | S | -- | -- | $75 | $110 | $193 | $325 | $437 | $1,785.00 | $3,650.00 | $5,420.00 | $13,275.00 | $21,850.00 |
| 1869 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $83 | $101 | $130 | $279 | $408 | $885 | $1,818.00 | $4,900.00 | $14,025.00 | $40,000.00 |
| 1869 | S | -- | -- | $91 | $107 | $133 | $285 | $520 | $1,425.00 | $3,125.00 | $4,288.00 | $7,550.00 | $16,875.00 |
| 1870 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $84 | $105 | $157 | $271 | $447 | $922 | $2,255.00 | $3,445.00 | $9,350.00 | $14,525.00 |
| 1870 | CC | -- | -- | $3,650.00 | $5,045.00 | $6,345.00 | $14,250.00 | $31,950.00 | $86,600.00 | $250,500.00 | $368,000.00 | -- | -- |
| 1870 | S | -- | -- | $117 | $155 | $208 | $534 | $845 | $2,710.00 | $4,715.00 | $10,210.00 | $70,000.00 | -- |
| 1871 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $72 | $91 | $123 | $193 | $296 | $830 | $1,730.00 | $2,490.00 | $5,450.00 | $9,050.00 |
| 1871 | CC | -- | -- | $1,190.00 | $1,605.00 | $2,240.00 | $4,135.00 | $6,485.00 | $34,300.00 | $90,750.00 | $155,750.00 | -- | -- |
| 1871 | S | -- | -- | $72 | $91 | $123 | $198 | $325 | $1,065.00 | $2,545.00 | $3,333.00 | $8,575.00 | $20,675.00 |
| 1872 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $72 | $91 | $123 | $218 | $312 | $958 | $1,605.00 | $3,125.00 | $6,650.00 | $12,413.00 |
| 1872 | CC | -- | -- | $664 | $1,023.00 | $1,498.00 | $2,930.00 | $4,905.00 | $26,000.00 | $63,750.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1872 | S | -- | -- | $83 | $149 | $208 | $363 | $725 | $2,130.00 | $4,080.00 | $5,213.00 | $15,350.00 | $22,950.00 |
| 1873 | (None) Phil | No Arrows, Closed 3 | -- | $72 | $92 | $148 | $230 | $394 | $1,095.00 | $2,115.00 | $3,415.00 | $7,000.00 | -- |
| 1873 | CC | No Arrows | -- | $713 | $1,195.00 | $1,930.00 | $3,790.00 | $6,250.00 | $13,275.00 | $34,850.00 | $53,375.00 | $91,250.00 | $128,000.00 |
| 1873 | (None) Phil | Arrows | -- | $78 | $98 | $122 | $338 | $509 | $1,215.00 | $2,560.00 | $3,665.00 | $11,460.00 | $29,775.00 |
| 1873 | CC | Arrows | -- | $620 | $775 | $1,115.00 | $2,380.00 | $3,458.00 | $9,125.00 | $18,250.00 | $37,350.00 | $62,500.00 | $119,750.00 |
| 1873 | S | Arrows | -- | $182 | $234 | $285 | $725 | $1,183.00 | $3,680.00 | $8,850.00 | $17,975.00 | $32,900.00 | -- |
| 1874 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $80 | $98 | $122 | $338 | $509 | $1,215.00 | $2,560.00 | $3,665.00 | $11,460.00 | $38,995.00 |
| 1874 | CC | -- | -- | $2,075.00 | $3,070.00 | $4,120.00 | $6,250.00 | $8,130.00 | $17,425.00 | $33,050.00 | $66,495.00 | $94,650.00 | $118,700.00 |
| 1874 | S | -- | -- | $208 | $249 | $285 | $440 | $742 | $1,743.00 | $3,890.00 | $7,920.00 | $18,260.00 | $71,995.00 |
| 1875 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $72 | $91 | $123 | $193 | $266 | $593 | $947 | $1,560.00 | $3,388.00 | $8,575.00 |
| 1875 | CC | -- | -- | $179 | $284 | $437 | $835 | $1,350.00 | $2,415.00 | $3,815.00 | $6,560.00 | $8,913.00 | $36,125.00 |
| 1875 | S | -- | -- | $72 | $90 | $123 | $193 | $266 | $593 | $947 | $1,533.00 | $2,470.00 | $10,995.00 |
| 1876 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $72 | $91 | $123 | $193 | $266 | $593 | $947 | $1,395.00 | $2,470.00 | $3,888.00 |
| 1876 | CC | -- | -- | $162 | $263 | $394 | $824 | $1,328.00 | $2,725.00 | $3,760.00 | $4,990.00 | $8,000.00 | $22,400.00 |
| 1876 | S | -- | -- | $72 | $91 | $123 | $193 | $266 | $620 | $1,143.00 | $1,950.00 | $3,760.00 | $8,325.00 |
| 1877 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $80 | $91 | $150 | $193 | $266 | $593 | $947 | $1,395.00 | $2,470.00 | $4,850.00 |
| 1877 | CC | -- | -- | $168 | $226 | $328 | $473 | $677 | $1,613.00 | $3,113.00 | $4,855.00 | $6,388.00 | $10,375.00 |
| 1877 | S | -- | -- | $70 | $91 | $123 | $193 | $266 | $593 | $947 | $1,395.00 | $2,470.00 | $3,888.00 |
| 1878 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $105 | $133 | $180 | $321 | $443 | $749 | $1,543.00 | $2,490.00 | $4,648.00 | $10,925.00 |
| 1878 | CC | -- | -- | $2,055.00 | $3,030.00 | $3,805.00 | $5,730.00 | $6,780.00 | $14,250.00 | $21,740.00 | $37,900.00 | $58,100.00 | $77,000.00 |
| 1878 | S | -- | -- | $48,400.00 | $54,200.00 | $62,500.00 | $77,150.00 | $83,650.00 | $111,750.00 | $156,500.00 | $233,750.00 | $290,500.00 | $381,750.00 |
| 1879 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $495 | $600 | $705 | $874 | $1,023.00 | $1,455.00 | $1,898.00 | $2,210.00 | $3,388.00 | $5,109.00 |
| 1881 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $520 | $653 | $763 | $938 | $1,138.00 | $1,593.00 | $2,138.00 | $2,420.00 | $4,400.00 | $7,030.00 |
| 1882 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $477 | $582 | $673 | $908 | $1,038.00 | $1,648.00 | $2,090.00 | $3,420.00 | $5,200.00 | $6,250.00 |
| 1883 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $451 | $617 | $750 | $960 | $1,101.00 | $1,455.00 | $2,295.00 | $2,835.00 | $4,605.00 | $9,125.00 |
| 1884 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $523 | $650 | $783 | $1,120.00 | $1,250.00 | $1,613.00 | $2,185.00 | $3,070.00 | $4,135.00 | $6,000.00 |
| 1885 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $515 | $657 | $848 | $1,058.00 | $1,163.00 | $1,423.00 | $2,630.00 | $3,100.00 | $5,450.00 | $8,675.00 |
| 1886 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $582 | $658 | $748 | $958 | $1,115.00 | $1,525.00 | $2,200.00 | $3,210.00 | $4,163.00 | $9,330.00 |
| 1887 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $584 | $712 | $839 | $1,108.00 | $1,263.00 | $1,523.00 | $2,130.00 | $2,600.00 | $4,050.00 | $5,185.00 |
| 1888 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $443 | $553 | $691 | $1,038.00 | $1,130.00 | $1,380.00 | $1,908.00 | $2,475.00 | $3,885.00 | $6,265.00 |
| 1889 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $402 | $518 | $634 | $960 | $1,190.00 | $1,550.00 | $2,620.00 | $3,010.00 | $4,275.00 | $8,960.00 |
| 1890 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $452 | $543 | $634 | $817 | $1,038.00 | $1,403.00 | $1,950.00 | $3,015.00 | $4,898.00 | $8,275.00 |
| 1891 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $94 | $148 | $182 | $259 | $389 | $734 | $1,475.00 | $2,290.00 | $4,025.00 | $5,795.00 |
History of the Seated Liberty Half Dollar
Minted from 1839 to 1891, the Seated Liberty Half Dollar is one of the most enduring and historically significant designs in U.S. coinage. Created by Christian Gobrecht, the coin encapsulates the dynamic spirit of a nation experiencing territorial expansion, industrial growth, and profound social change. Its neoclassical design reflected both artistic refinement and American ideals of liberty and perseverance.
The Seated Liberty design first appeared on the half dollar in 1839, replacing the earlier Capped Bust Half Dollar. Inspired by the image of Britannia found on British coinage, Gobrecht reimagined Liberty as a distinctly American figure, seated gracefully on a rock, holding a pole topped with a Phrygian cap, symbolizing freedom. Her left hand rests upon a shield inscribed with “LIBERTY”, representing defense of the nation’s values.
The reverse features an eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch, embodying the nation’s dual commitment to strength and peace. Over the coin’s five-decade lifespan, its design evolved multiple times, marking significant moments in American history. These subtle yet meaningful variations make the Seated Liberty Half Dollar one of the most complex and studied series for collectors to explore.
Rarest Coins in the Series
Several issues within the series are exceptionally scarce and highly regarded among numismatists. The 1878-S Seated Liberty Half Dollar stands out as one of the rarest and most valuable. With a minuscule mintage of just 12,000 pieces, surviving examples (especially in mint state) can achieve notable prices at major auctions.
- 1853 Arrows and Rays: Introduced to denote a reduction in silver content due to shifting metal prices. It is highly collectible for its short production span.
- 1866 No Motto: The phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST” was added above the eagle following the Civil War, aligning the coinage with national religious sentiment. This makes it a historically transitional issue.
- 1874 With Arrows: Scarce due to limited mintage and the brief return of the arrow design, reintroduced to indicate a small adjustment in the coin’s silver weight.
Additionally, error coins (such as double dies, repunched mintmarks, and off-center strikes) add to the intrigue and Seated Liberty Half Dollar value, making them valued among specialists who seek unique varieties.
Types of Collections
The Seated Liberty Half Dollar offers multiple collecting avenues, appealing to both new and seasoned enthusiasts.
- Type Collections focus on major design changes, such as the No Motto, With Motto, Arrows and Rays, and Arrows Only varieties.
- Date and Mintmark Sets include all years and mint locations, Philadelphia (no mintmark), New Orleans (O), San Francisco (S), and Carson City (CC).
- High-Grade Collections prioritize uncirculated coins with full strike details and minimal wear. This is especially important given the coin’s large surface area is prone to marks.
This versatility allows collectors to pursue paths that match their interests and budgets, from accessible circulated examples to exceptional proof issues struck for presentation and collectors.
Beginner vs. Advanced Collecting
Beginner Collecting
For beginners, the Seated Liberty Half Dollar offers an excellent introduction into 19th-century coinage. Common dates in Fine to Very Fine condition are relatively affordable, offering a tangible connection to the era without excessive cost. These coins can often be found at numismatic shows or through trusted dealers.
Advanced Collecting
Advanced collectors, meanwhile, seek high-grade or rare-date coins certified by grading services such as PCGS or NGC. The challenge lies in locating problem-free specimens, as many coins were heavily circulated or cleaned over the decades. Building a complete set, especially one including both major and minor varieties, requires patience, expertise, and careful study.
Enthusiasts who appreciate subtle design changes often gravitate toward varieties such as overdates, die cracks, and mintmark anomalies, which tell stories of 19th-century minting technology and production inconsistencies.
Investment Potential
Beyond its beauty and historical significance, the Seated Liberty Half Dollar holds enduring investment potential. The coin’s intrinsic silver content, combined with its numismatic appeal, ensures strong demand even during market fluctuations. High-grade coins and proof issues have shown steady collector demand, often ranking among the most sought-after 19th-century silver issues.
For investors, this coin represents both historical significance and artistic heritage. Rarities like the 1878-S and 1853 Arrows and Rays varieties remain standout pieces that are highly regarded for their rarity and historical importance. Even mid-grade coins with original surfaces continue to enjoy consistent popularity among collectors seeking historically significant silver.
The Seated Liberty Half Dollar value derives not only from its silver composition but also from its role as a living record of America’s evolution from an expanding young republic to an industrialized nation on the world stage.