Numismatic

1856 Liberty Seated Dime Large Date VF

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The year 1856 marked a fascinating moment in American coinage, captured beautifully in this silver dime from the Philadelphia Mint. Struck with a purity of 90 percent silver, this ten cent piece contains 0.0715 troy ounces of precious metal. Surviving in Very Fine condition, the coin displays the distinctive artistry of the era with remarkable clarity. On the obverse, the design by Christian Gobrecht presents a seated figure of Liberty. In her right hand, she supports a shield, while her left hand holds a staff topped with a liberty cap, a classic symbol of freedom. The word LIBERTY is visible across the shield, with the date 1856 positioned directly below the figure. The reverse of the coin focuses on the denomination, with the words ONE DIME boldly centered. This text is encircled by a detailed wreath, which is itself surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. This simple yet elegant combination of imagery and text offers a window into the mid nineteenth century aesthetic of United States currency.