Liberty Seated Dollars

Liberty Seated Dollars

Liberty Seated Dollars, struck from 1840 through 1873, represent an important period in nineteenth-century American silver coinage. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, these historic U.S. silver dollars feature Liberty seated upon a rock and a heraldic eagle on the reverse. The series includes two principal design types: No Motto (1840–1866) and With Motto (1866–1873).

Collectors pursue certified Liberty Seated Dollars for their historical significance, scarce dates and mintmarks, Carson City issues, and exceptional preservation. With relatively low mintages for many dates and limited surviving populations in higher grades, the series offers numerous opportunities for collectors of rare American silver dollars.

History of the Liberty Seated Dollar (1840–1873)

The Liberty Seated Dollar was introduced in 1840, following the limited production of Gobrecht Dollars between 1836 and 1839. The design was adapted from Christian Gobrecht's earlier silver dollar artwork and became the standard silver dollar design of the United States Mint.

The obverse depicts Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield inscribed LIBERTY and a staff topped with a Phrygian cap. Thirteen stars surround Liberty, representing the original states, with the date positioned below.

The reverse features a heraldic eagle with a shield across its breast, holding an olive branch and arrows. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears around the upper portion of the coin, with ONE DOL. below.

Liberty Seated Dollars were struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, with a standard weight of approximately 26.73 grams and an actual silver content of 0.7734 troy ounces.

No Motto Liberty Seated Dollars (1840–1866)

The original No Motto Liberty Seated Dollar was produced from 1840 through part of 1866. These coins feature the heraldic eagle reverse without IN GOD WE TRUST above the eagle.

No Motto dollars were struck primarily at the Philadelphia Mint, with additional issues produced at the New Orleans and San Francisco Mints during selected years.

Collectors pursue No Motto Liberty Seated Dollars by date, mintmark, condition, and recognized varieties. Several issues are particularly challenging in higher certified grades, especially coins retaining strong original luster and well-preserved surfaces.

With Motto Liberty Seated Dollars (1866–1873)

In 1866, the United States Mint introduced a revised reverse featuring IN GOD WE TRUST on a ribbon above the eagle.

The addition followed the introduction of the motto on the Two-Cent Piece in 1864 and its subsequent adoption on other United States coin denominations.

With Motto Liberty Seated Dollars were produced from 1866 through 1873 at the Philadelphia, Carson City, and San Francisco Mints.

The With Motto series includes several important rarities, particularly Carson City issues with limited mintages and small surviving populations.

Carson City Liberty Seated Dollars

Carson City Liberty Seated Dollars, struck from 1870 through 1873, are among the most desirable coins in the series.

Produced at the Carson City Mint in Nevada, these silver dollars are closely associated with the Comstock Lode and the expansion of silver mining in the American West.

Identified by the distinctive CC mintmark, Carson City Liberty Seated Dollars are scarce across the series, with certain dates exceptionally difficult to acquire.

The 1870-CC, 1871-CC, 1872-CC, and 1873-CC Liberty Seated Dollars are important issues for collectors pursuing complete date and mintmark sets or specializing in historic Carson City coinage.

Key Dates and Rare Liberty Seated Dollars

Liberty Seated Dollars include numerous scarce dates and important numismatic rarities.

Notable issues include:

• 1851 Liberty Seated Dollar: A low-mintage Philadelphia issue and an important rarity within the No Motto series.

• 1852 Liberty Seated Dollar: Another scarce early issue, particularly desirable among collectors of nineteenth-century silver dollars.

• 1870-S Liberty Seated Dollar: One of the great rarities of American silver coinage, with only a small number of examples known.

• 1873-CC Liberty Seated Dollar: A scarce final-year Carson City issue, highly regarded among collectors of rare U.S. silver dollars.

Original mintage, surviving populations, strike characteristics, and certified condition all contribute to the collector appeal of these historic coins.

The Coinage Act of 1873

The Coinage Act of 1873 brought an end to the Liberty Seated Dollar series as a regular domestic silver dollar denomination.

The legislation discontinued the standard silver dollar and authorized the new Trade Dollar, intended primarily for international commerce, particularly trade with Asia.

This change marked an important transition in American monetary policy and silver coinage. The standard silver dollar would return in 1878 with the introduction of the Morgan Silver Dollar.

Collecting Certified Liberty Seated Dollars

Certified Liberty Seated Dollars offer collectors opportunities to pursue early American silver type coins, complete date and mintmark sets, No Motto and With Motto varieties, and scarce Carson City issues.

Important collecting considerations include original mintage, surviving population, certified grade, strike quality, surface preservation, and overall eye appeal.

Professional grading by PCGS, NGC, and CACG, along with CAC-approved examples, provides collectors with independent assessments of condition and preservation when evaluating these historic American silver dollars.