Seated Liberty Half-Dimes
(1837 - 1873)
The Seated Liberty Half Dime replaced the Capped Bust design in 1837 and was struck through 1873. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the obverse features Liberty seated on a rock holding a shield and pole, symbolizing vigilance and national strength, while the reverse displays a simple wreath surrounding the denomination.
Beginning in 1837, the composition was standardized at 90% silver and 10% copper, a silver alloy that remained consistent throughout the series. Over its long production span, several design modifications created collectible subtypes, including the addition of stars to the obverse in 1838 and the introduction of arrows at the date in 1853–1855 and again in 1873 to indicate minor weight adjustments.
As silver coins gradually disappeared from circulation after the Civil War, mintages declined. The denomination was officially discontinued in 1873, replaced by the five-cent nickel. The Seated Liberty Half Dime remains a classic 19th-century silver series with numerous dates and varieties appealing to type and advanced collectors alike.
Check out dates & mintages for Seated Liberty Half-Dimes, below.Business Strikes
Type 1, No Stars
1837 | 1,405,000
1838 | 3,546,000
1838-O | 70,000
Type 2, No Drapery
1839 | 1,069,000
1839-O | 150,000
1840 No Drapery | 1,034,000
1840-O No Drapery | 240,000
Type 3, Stars on Obverse
1840 Drapery | 310,085
1840-O No Drapery | 240,000
1841 | 1,227,000
1841-O | 845,000
1842 | 815,000
1842-O | 350,000
1843 | 815,000
1843-O | 720,000
1844 | 1,150,000
1844-O | 220,000
1845 | 590,000
1845-O | 240,000
1846 | 27,000
1847 | 120,000
1848 | 224,000
1849 | 180,000
1850 | 553,000
1851 | 100,000
1851-O | 290,000
1852 | 77,130
1853 No Arrows | 135,000
1853-O No Arrows | 1,050,000
Type 4, Arrows at Date
1853 Arrows | 13,210,020
1853-O Arrows | 2,200,000
1854 | 759,000
1854-O | 500,000
1855 | 7,000
1855-O | 600,000
Type 3, Stars on Obverse
1856 | 1,450,000
1856-O | 2,200,000
1857 | 3,540,000
1857-O | 600,000
1858 | 3,475,000
1858-O | 600,000
1859 | 8,720,000
1859-O | 560,000
Type 5, Legend Obverse
1860 | 949,000
1861 | 1,059,000
1862 | 1,467,000
1863 | 18,000
1864 | 13,000
1865 | 13,000
1866 | 8,000
1867 | 8,000
1868 | 88,600
1869 | 29,500
1870 | 535,000
1870-S | 300,000
1871 | 1,611,000
1871-S | 200,000
1872 | 1,385,000
1873 | 100,000
1860-O | 1,060,000
1863-S | 100,000
1864-S | 90,000
1865-S | 120,000
1866-S | 120,000
1867-S | 120,000
1868-S | 280,000
1869-S | 230,000
1872-S | 837,000
1873-S | 324,000
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