Semi-Numismatic

1857 Liberty Seated Dime VG

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In the decade preceding the American Civil War, the United States Mint produced a silver ten-cent piece that captured the artistic sensibilities of a growing nation. This 1857 dime, struck at the Philadelphia Mint, showcases the Liberty Seated motif, a design that defined American silver coinage for over half a century. Composed of 90 percent silver with a metal content of 0.0715 troy ounces, this circulated coin survives in Very Good condition, bearing the honest wear of a piece that once passed through the hands of everyday Americans in the mid-1800s. The obverse of the coin features Lady Liberty seated upon a rock. In her left hand, she supports a pole topped with a Phrygian cap, a traditional symbol of freedom, while her right hand rests on a shield inscribed with the word LIBERTY. The year 1857 is clearly struck beneath her feet. This design was created by Christian Gobrecht, whose work left an indelible mark on the nation's early numismatic history. On the reverse, the coin features a simple yet elegant wreath that encircles the denomination. The words ONE DIME are nestled within this foliage, surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Because it was minted in Philadelphia, the coin does not bear a mint mark, distinguishing it from branch-mint issues of the era. This dime represents a fascinating window into pre-1933 American currency, preserving a classic design from a pivotal era in the nation's history.