Numismatic

1857 Liberty Seated Dime VF

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Dating from the years before the American Civil War, this 1857 silver dime from the Philadelphia Mint offers a window into the mid-nineteenth century. Struck with a silver purity of 90 percent, the coin contains 0.0715 troy ounces of precious metal. It survives today in a well-preserved Very Fine state, showing clear details of its classic design despite the passage of generations. The obverse features a depiction of Liberty in a seated position. In her right hand, she supports a shield, while her left hand holds a staff topped with a liberty cap, a traditional symbol of freedom. The word LIBERTY is inscribed across the shield, with the year 1857 appearing below the figure. On the reverse side, the denomination of ONE DIME is displayed at the center, encircled by a detailed wreath. The surrounding inscription reads UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, completing a design that circulated widely during a transformative era in American history.