Liberty Seated Half Dime 1837—1873

The Liberty Seated Half Dime is a historical American coin that was produced from 1837 to 1873. It is part of the larger Liberty Seated coinage series, which includes various denominations like the dime, quarter, half dollar, and silver dollar. The design of the Liberty Seated Half Dime went through several modifications over the years.

The Liberty Seated design was created by Christian Gobrecht, who was the Chief Engraver at the United States Mint during that time. The obverse (front) of the coin features a seated figure of Liberty, inspired by the ancient Greek figure of Freedom. Liberty is depicted holding a shield with her right hand and a liberty pole with a Phrygian cap on top in her left hand. The shield represents defensive power, and the cap symbolizes freedom and liberty. The words "LIBERTY" appear above Liberty, and the date is positioned below.

The reverse (back) of the coin underwent several changes during its production. From 1837 to 1838, the reverse featured a wreath surrounding the denomination "HALF DIME." Later, from 1838 to 1859, the reverse design was modified to include the words "HALF DIME" within a laurel wreath. In 1860, the wreath was replaced by a simple oak wreath. Finally, from 1860 to 1873, the reverse displayed a small eagle with outstretched wings, clutching arrows and an olive branch, surrounded by a laurel wreath, and the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."

The Liberty Seated Half Dime went through a few notable changes during its production. In 1853, the weight of the coin was reduced slightly to 1.24 grams, and the diameter was increased to 15.9 millimeters. This change was implemented to combat widespread hoarding and melting of the coins due to their intrinsic value exceeding their face value.

In 1866, the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" was added to the reverse of the coin above the eagle. This addition was part of a broader initiative to include the motto on various U.S. coins as a reflection of the religious sentiments prevalent during the Civil War era.

The Liberty Seated Half Dime series came to an end in 1873 when it was replaced by the Shield Nickel. The decision to discontinue the coin was mainly driven by the rising silver prices, which made it uneconomical to produce. Additionally, the introduction of the nickel five-cent coin provided a more practical and cost-effective alternative.

Today, Liberty Seated Half Dimes are highly collectible among numismatists and coin enthusiasts. The series offers a glimpse into American history and the development of coinage during the mid-19th century.

 

Key Dates

1838-O: This is considered one of the key dates of the series. It refers to the 1838 half dimes struck at the New Orleans Mint. The New Orleans Mint only produced half dimes in 1838, and they are highly sought after by collectors.

1853-O: Another important date is the 1853-O half dime. This coin was struck at the New Orleans Mint and is notable for being an extremely rare and valuable issue. It is highly sought after by collectors.

1855: The 1855 half dime is considered a key date due to its low mintage and scarcity. It is a challenging coin to find in higher grades, making it highly desirable among collectors.

1859-S: The 1859-S half dime, struck at the San Francisco Mint, is another key date in the series. It has a low mintage and is difficult to find in higher grades.

1863: The 1863 half dime is notable for its rarity and historical significance. During the Civil War, silver coinage became scarce due to hoarding and melting, making the 1863 half dime a valuable and sought-after coin.