Numismatic

1840 Liberty Seated Dollar MS-62 NGC

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In 1840, the Philadelphia Mint produced a limited run of just 61,005 silver dollars. These early silver pieces do not bear a mint mark, which is the classic signature of the main Philadelphia facility during this era. Finding one of these coins today in a well-preserved state offers a direct window into the early decades of United States silver coinage. The obverse design features the classic figure of Liberty seated, holding a staff topped with a liberty cap, while a shield rests at her side. The word LIBERTY is clearly inscribed across the shield, with the year 1840 anchored at the bottom. This particular specimen has been certified in Mint State 62 (MS-62), indicating it has survived the intervening generations with its original mint luster and design details remarkably intact. Struck from 90 percent silver, this dollar contains 0.7734 troy ounces of precious metal. Its survival in such a high grade is notable, given that many of these early silver dollars saw heavy circulation or were melted down over the decades.