Seated Liberty (1840-73)
The silver dollar coin known as Seated Liberty Dollar was distributed by the American governing administration between 1840 and 1873. The silver coin is given its name due to the obverse layout that was in fact consistent and matched with the Half dime, Dime, Twenty-cent coin, Quarter, and Half dollar. It was created by Christian Gobrecht.
The Seated Liberty Dollars were released in the year of 1840 and ended up being struck in greater amounts compared to the ramdomly produced Gobrecht Dollar which came before it. The silver dollars turned out to be widely used in normal circulation up until 1853.
During this year, the price of sterling silver was higher as compared to the face value of the coin. The coin carried on being struck primarily to be a deal coin to be utilized in the Orient. This was over in 1870 as soon as the value of silver diminished making it possible for the dollars to be put back again in regular circulation.
The treasures in the Seated Dollars Series
This collection features quite a few impressive rarities. In this series, quite possibly the most treasured coin is the 1870-S: only 12-15 are known to exist. Having said that, the most rare of them all is the only one known 1851-O, a coin minted in undiscovered and strange conditions.
It is not shown in the Guidebook of United States Coins, and is as well not listed in Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of US and Colonial Coins. Its value most likely exceeds the value of the 1870-S, however as it hasn't been presented for sale openly, neither any kind of non-public deal validated, its value presently is not known.
Additionally the coins produced in some different years can also be considered rare: 1851, 1852, 1858 (that was a proof-only re-issue in the 1860's-1870's), 1871-CC, 1872-CC, and 1873-CC, all of them having just 50-500 known items.
The 1866 "No Motto" specimen is properly referred to as a fantasy item, designed during the 1870's together with the "No Motto" quarter and half dollar, for a preferred Mint client. Presently there are two identified, and they are labeled as patterns, and not really normal pieces or restrikes.
Specification
- Obverse design: Lady Liberty seated holding the Union Shield
- Reverse design: A Bald Eagle holding arrows and an olive branch with the Union Shield on its chest
- Edge: reeded
- Weight: 26.73 g
- Diameter: 38.1 mm
- Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
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Silver Content: 371.25 grain (exactly 0.7734375 troy oz. or roughly 24.057 grams)
Mintmarks
Mintmarks are located below the eagle's talons on the reverse side:
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Blank (P - Philadelphia Mint in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
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CC (Carson City Mint in Carson City, Nevada)
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O (New Orleans Mint in New Orleans, Louisiana)
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S (San Francisco Mint in San Francisco, California)
