Numismatic

1840-1873 Liberty Seated Dollar VF

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Struck over a span of 33 years starting in 1840, the Liberty Seated dollar represents a fascinating era in American currency. This heavy silver coin contains 0.7734 ounces of silver with a purity of 0.900. Throughout its entire production run, fewer than 7 million of these pieces were ever minted, making them a compelling subject for study. The design, created by Christian Gobrecht, features a seated figure of Liberty on the obverse. She holds a staff topped with a liberty cap in one hand while supporting a shield with the other. On the reverse, an eagle is depicted holding three arrows and an olive branch, with a protective shield positioned across its chest. Legible inscriptions on the coin include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the denomination "ONE DOL." Economic shifts in the 1850s caused the silver content of these dollars to exceed their face value of one dollar, which altered how they circulated. Because of this rising metal value, the later strikes in the series were predominantly utilized in export trade rather than everyday domestic commerce.