Liberty Seated Coins: Key Dates, Errors & Pricing
Discover the deep history, legendary rarities, hidden errors, and rising collector fascination behind Liberty Seated Coins — the cornerstone silver series of 19th-century American numismatics.
📘 Download the full guide: Numismatics Handbook — A +135-page expert resource on U.S. coin collecting.
Why Liberty Seated Coins Matter
Liberty Seated coins, minted from 1837 to 1891, represent a vivid portrait of an America in transition — spanning frontier expansion, the Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution.
Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the series features:
- Obverse: Lady Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield and liberty pole — an enduring symbol of vigilance and freedom.
- Reverse: A bold heraldic eagle (for most denominations) or simple denomination inscriptions for earlier issues.
Collectors love Liberty Seated coins for:
🪙 Classic Early Silver Art — Timeless designs reflecting American ideals.
🥈 90% Silver Content — Found in dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars.
🔑 Key Rarities — Including the ultra-rare 1870-S Half Dime and 1873-CC No Arrows Dime.
🧩 Endless Varieties — Arrows at Date types, Motto vs No Motto reverses, overdates, and rare mintmarks.
🔥 Growing Demand — Especially for Carson City (CC) mint issues and top-grade certified coins.
Whether you collect by type, date/mintmark, or errors, Liberty Seated coins offer rich challenges — and major rewards.
Liberty Seated Coin Values & Key Dates by Type
| Year | Coin Type | Mint Mark | Est. Value (Avg.) | Rare Variant? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1873-CC | No Arrows Dime | CC | $15,000–$100,000+ | Legendary Rarity |
| 1870-S | Half Dime | S | $300,000+ | Ultra-Rare, Museum-Level |
| 1853 | Arrows & Rays Quarter | No Mint | $100–$2,500+ | First Type with Weight Change |
| 1878-S | Half Dollar | S | $200–$4,000+ | Scarce in High Grade |
| 1859-S | Liberty Seated Dollar | S | $300–$7,000+ | Low-Mintage San Francisco Issue |
✅ Tip: Liberty Seated coins often double or triple in value between XF and Mint State — pristine examples can bring auction premiums of 5x or more.
Key Features of Liberty Seated Coins
✨ Design
Christian Gobrecht’s bold Liberty figure inspired a whole generation of American coinage, emphasizing national identity and strength.
🏛️ Historical Significance
Liberty Seated coins span critical eras: westward expansion, the Gold Rush, Civil War, and Reconstruction — shaping coin availability and survival.
🛠️ Mintage Periods
Produced from 1837 to 1891 across six denominations: half dimes, dimes, twenty-cent pieces, quarters, half dollars, and silver dollars.
🥈 Composition
90% silver and 10% copper alloy, with weights varying by denomination (e.g., half dollars = 12.44 grams).
💎 Collection Appeal
Tons of subsets to chase:
- No Stars vs Stars Obverse
- Arrows at Date types (1853, 1873)
- Motto vs No Motto reverses (post-1866)
- Scarce branch mint coins (especially CC, S, and O)
✅ GoldSilver Tip: Original, untampered surfaces = maximum auction value. Cleaned coins fetch only a fraction of their true worth.
Most Valuable Liberty Seated Coins (Detailed Breakdown)
1. 1873-CC No Arrows Dime — $15,000–$100,000+
One of the rarest U.S. coins. Only one confirmed survivor!
2. 1870-S Half Dime — $300,000+
Practically museum-only — this mythical coin is privately held by just a few collectors.
3. 1853 Arrows & Rays Quarter — $100–$2,500+
Highly collectible for introducing weight-change arrows and a radiant reverse.
4. 1866 No Motto Half Dollar — $500–$10,000+
Transitional type without “IN GOD WE TRUST” — rare post-Civil War issue.
5. 1849 Liberty Seated Dollar — $500–$6,000+
Tough to locate problem-free examples of this early dollar.
Comparison: Liberty Seated Coins vs Morgan Dollars
| Feature | Liberty Seated (1837–1891) | Morgan Dollar (1878–1921) |
|---|---|---|
| Theme | Vigilance and Freedom | Industrial Expansion |
| Obverse | Seated Liberty | Liberty Head |
| Reverse | Heraldic Eagle / Denomination | Heraldic Eagle |
| Silver Content | 90% Silver | 90% Silver |
| Collector Base | Specialized, Growing | Massive, Established |
| Challenges | Date/Mint Collecting, Varieties | High-Grade Morgans |
✅ Insight: Liberty Seated coins offer more niche opportunities — Morgans dominate for now, but Seated series have stronger historical mystique among serious collectors.
Common Liberty Seated Errors and Varieties
🛠️ Popular Liberty Seated Errors:
- Overdates (1841/0-O Half Dime, 1848/6 Half Dollar)
- Arrows at Date (1853, 1873–1874) — Indicates weight change.
- No Motto vs With Motto (1866–1875) — Post-Civil War patriotism shift.
- Micro O Mintmarks — Rare New Orleans anomalies.
- Misaligned Dies & Rotated Dies — Highly desirable on early strikes.
✅ Error Tip: Certified high-grade errors can sell for 5x or more compared to standard examples.
Comparison: Common vs Rare Liberty Seated Coins
| Year | Mint Mark | Typical Value | Rarity Level | Collector Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1853 | No Mint | $100–$300 | Common | Arrows & Rays Type |
| 1859 | S | $300–$7,000 | Semi-Rare | Popular San Francisco Type |
| 1873 | CC | $15,000+ | Ultra-Rare | No Arrows Dime |
| 1866 | No Mint | $500–$3,500 | Transitional | No Motto Half Dollar |
How to Sell Liberty Seated Coins
Step 1: Authenticate
Rare dates must be certified by PCGS, NGC, or ANACS for full resale value.
Step 2: Choose the Right Selling Channel
- eBay — Common XF/AU circulated types.
- GreatCollections — High-end circulated to Mint State coins.
- Heritage Auctions — Ultra-rarities like 1870-S, 1873-CC, or high-grade proofs.
✅ Pro Tip: Highlight full originality, toning, strike sharpness, and lack of cleaning in your listings — it directly boosts final price.
How to Store and Preserve Liberty Seated Coins
🏛️ Archival Storage: Use only acid-free flips, slabs, or albums.
🌡️ Climate Control: Store at stable cool temperatures and low humidity.
🧤 Careful Handling: Always use cotton gloves or touch only edges.
🧽 Never Clean: Cleaning strips away originality and kills value!
✅ Storage Bonus: Album-toned Seated coins (natural rainbow rings) can command 20–50% premiums at auction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liberty Seated Coins
What are Liberty Seated coins?
Liberty Seated coins are 90% silver U.S. coins minted from 1837 to 1891, featuring Lady Liberty seated on a rock holding a shield and liberty pole, symbolizing freedom and vigilance.
Which denominations were Liberty Seated coins made for?
Liberty Seated designs appear on half dimes, dimes, twenty-cent pieces, quarters, half dollars, and silver dollars.
Why are Liberty Seated coins collectible?
They are loved for their elegant designs, rich Civil War-era history, rare mint varieties, and low survival rates in high grades.
What is a “No Motto” Liberty Seated coin?
“No Motto” coins (pre-1866 issues) lack the “IN GOD WE TRUST” motto on the reverse. The motto was added starting in 1866.
What is the rarest Liberty Seated coin?
The 1873-CC No Arrows Dime is the rarest known, with only one privately held example. The 1870-S Half Dime is another major ultra-rarity.
What does “Arrows at Date” mean on Liberty Seated coins?
It signals a weight change in the coin’s specifications, notably during 1853 and 1873–1874. Coins with arrows are prized type collectibles.
How much silver is in a Liberty Seated coin?
They are made of 90% silver. Examples:
- Dime: 0.0723 troy ounces
- Quarter: 0.1808 troy ounces
- Dollar: 0.7734 troy ounces
What are common Liberty Seated errors and varieties?
Key varieties include overdates (like 1841/0-O), Arrows at Date, No Motto vs Motto reverses, Micro O mintmarks, rotated dies, and misaligned strikes.
How can I tell if my Liberty Seated coin is valuable?
Check for rare dates, mintmarks (especially CC or S mints), varieties, and condition. Grading and certification from PCGS or NGC boosts trust and resale value.
Should I clean my Liberty Seated coins before selling them?
Absolutely not. Cleaning ruins original surfaces and cuts coin value by 30–70%. Always keep coins in their natural state for highest premiums.