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The year 1837 saw the introduction of the new Seated Liberty
Half Dime, and a phase-out of the
Capped Bust type. The Seated Liberty
theme on the Half Dime lasted until 1873, and was also present on the U.S. dime, quarter, half
dollar, and silver dollar. After 1873, no one would ever see another new U.S. Half Dime.
There were several
varieties of the Seated Liberty Half Dime, involving drapery, stars, arrows, and
legend location. Throughout all the changes, Liberty herself remained
seated in much the same position.
The first Seated Liberty Half Dime minted in
1837 had no drapery or stars on the obverse. The legend "United States of
America" appeared on the reverse. It is pictured here:
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Seated Liberty
Half Dime Specifications |
Diameter: |
Weight: |
Minted: |
Composition: |
Designer |
Edge: |
15.5 mm |
1.34 g |
1837-1853 |
.100 Cu .900
Ag |
Christian Gobrecht |
Reeded |
15.5 mm |
1.24 g |
1853-1873 |
.100 Cu .900
Ag |
Christian Gobrecht |
Reeded |
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Coin Photos courtesy of
Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA. |
The most
valuable Seated Liberty Half Dime is the 1870-S. Only
one lone specimen
is known to exist, and could possibly sell for millions of dollars,
if put on the auction block.
Its existence remained unknown until 1978, when it was found mixed in with a
small hoard of common date coinage. The 1870-S Seated
Liberty Half Dime is a fabled numismatic discovery of immense proportions.
In spite of nearly 40 years of production, there are not many key dates to
chase after. Some of the half dimes from the Philadelphia Mint in the
1860's are quite rare, but have advanced only sporadically in value over time.
Prices may stagnate for many years, then suddenly explode in value, only to
get stuck once again.
Collectors fascinated by the Seated Liberty Half
Dimes wanting to obtain examples with the best chance of double-digit
price increases should look here first:
Seated Liberty Half Dimes dates from the 1860's are offered for sale below,
through eBay coin auctions (its surprising how many people use the phrase
"eBay antique coins for sale" while searching the Net). The left
hand side of each "Sales Box" is value trend data over a very long period of
time for an 1865 Seated Liberty Half Dime in G-4 condition. The percent annual
increase is computed for comparative purposes. The coin pictured for
sale in the right hand side is not necessarily an 1865, as is
represented in the value trend analysis on left hand side, but is dated
in the 1863-1867 range.
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1863-1867
Seat Lib H. Dime
Condition: G-4
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1865 Value Trends Example
1950: $1.25
1980: $75.00
1995: $125
2003: $125
2007: $400
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% Annual Increase
Since 1950 =
10.65%
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Half Cents
1793-1857 |
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Large Cents
1793-1857 |
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Flying Eagle Cents
1856-1858 |
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Indian Head Cents
1859-1909 |
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Lincoln Cents
1909-present |
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Two and Three
Cents 1851-1889 |
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Shield Nickels
1866-1883 |
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Liberty Nickels
1883-1913 |
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Buffalo Nickels
1913-1938 |
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Jefferson Nickels 1938-present |
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Early Half Dimes
1792-1837 |
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Seated Liberty Half Dimes 1837-1873 |
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Early Dimes
1796-1837 |
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Seated Liberty Dimes 1837-1891 |
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Barber Dimes
1892-1916 |
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Mercury Dimes
1916-1945 |
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Roosevelt Dimes 1946-present |
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Twenty Cents
1875-1878 |
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Early Quarters
1796-1838 |
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Seated Liberty Quarters 1838-1891 |
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Barber Quarters
1892-1916 |
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Standing Liberty
Quarters 1916-1930 |
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Washington
Quarters 1932-present |
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Early Half Dollars
1794-1839 |
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Seated Liberty
Half Dollars 1839-1891 |
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Barber Half
Dollars 1892-1915 |
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Walking Liberty
Half Dollars 1916-1947 |
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Franklin Half
Dollars 1948-1963 |
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Kennedy Half Dollars 1964-Present |
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Early Dollars
1794-1804 |
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Gobrecht Dollars 1836-1839 |
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Seated Liberty Dollars 1840-1873 |
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Trade Dollars
1873-1885 |
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Morgan Dollars
1878-1921 |
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Peace Dollars
1921-1935 |
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Eisenhower Dollars
1971-1978 |
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Anthony Dollars
1979-1981,1999 |
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Sacagawea Dollars
2000-present |
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Presidential Dollars
2007-present |
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Gold Dollars
1849-1889 |
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Early Quarter Eagles 1796-1834 |
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Classic Head Quarter Eagles 1834-1839 |
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Coronet Quarter
Eagles 1840-1907 |
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Indian Head
Quarter Eagles 1908-1929 |
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Three Dollar Gold
1854-1889 |
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Early Half Eagles
1795-1834 |
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Classic Head Half Eagles 1834-1838 |
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Coronet Half
Eagles 1839-1908 |
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Indian Head Half
Eagles 1908-1929 |
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Early Eagles
1795-1804 |
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Coronet Eagles
1838-1907 |
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Indian Head Eagles
1907-1933 |
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Coronet Double
Eagles 1849-1907 |
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St-Gaudens Double
Eagles 1907-1933 |
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Above is a satire on the Panic of 1837,
criticizing President Martin Van Buren's continued "Specie Circular" policy
of his predecessor, Andrew Jackson, which required the US government
to accept payment for federal lands only in gold and silver coinage.
This move led to the failure of more than 800 banks and a severe economic
recession. The satire shows the president haunted by the ghost of
Commerce, seated at the right.
Image courtesy of
Library of Congress. |
