Christian Gobrecht’s iconic “Liberty Seated” design first appeared on the pattern silver dollars in 1836 and the following year made its debut on the half dimes and dimes. The initial issues (1837-38) had no stars around the figure of Liberty on the obverse but later in 1838, thirteen stars were added. In 1840, drapery was added under Liberty’s left arm (seen on the right side of the coin) and her portrait was modified as well, appearing a bit heavier overall.

An increase in the price of silver in the early 1850s led to a reduction in weight for virtually all U.S. silver coinage and arrows were placed alongside the date from 1853 through 1855 to signify this change. After the arrows were removed, the design reverted to the regular “stars” obverse until the end of 1859. In 1860, the design was modified again – the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA was moved from the reverse to the obverse – replacing the stars, and the wreath on the reverse was enlarged.

The “Legend” style then continued through 1873, at which time the silver half dime was eliminated in favor of the five-cent coin in copper-nickel which had begun production some seven years earlier.

Further Reading

Half dimes of the 1837-1873 Liberty Seated style are divided into several sub-types, as the following descriptions indicate. The design commenced in 1837 when a new obverse motif, the product of engraver Christian Gobrecht, made its appearance. This design, featuring Miss Liberty seated on a rock and holding a shield, was first envisioned in 1835 and was first used on the pattern silver dollars of 1836. However, the debut of the style on coins made for circulation occurred with the half dime and dime of 1837.

Collecting Strategies

Collecting Liberty Seated half dimes by date affords an interesting possibility. While no numismatist has ever put together a complete set of Uncirculated and Proof issues, and while such probably never will be done, it is possible to assemble a group in lesser grades, possibly spiced with Proof and Uncirculated pieces of later years. This discussion does not include the unique 1870-S which has to be, as Dr. Sheldon called certain large cents which were virtually unobtainable, "non-collectible." It is financially within the reach of many to use the grades Fine to Extremely Fine as an objective and to get one each of every issue 1837 and later.

A group, the Liberty Seated Coin Club, exists for the benefit of those interested in the various silver denominations bearing this design. Variations in mintmark placement, observations concerning rarity, and other facets are objects of articles and discussions in their periodical, The Gobrecht Journal.

What constitutes a "type" among Liberty Seated coins admits of no precise definition. As noted earlier, the 1859 half dime, the unique year with the stars hollow in the center, is not generally considered to be a type. Most numismatists assembling a comprehensive set include the following: Type of 1837 and 1838-O without obverse stars; type of 1838 to 1853, and again from 1856 through 1859, with stars on the obverse and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on the reverse; type of 1853-1855 as preceding but with arrowheads alongside the date; and type of 1860-1873 with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on the obverse.

The preceding "standard" types can be refined by including the issues of 1838-1840 without drapery at the elbow and/or the much-discussed (by me; others seem to ignore it) 1859 with hollow stars. The 1859 and 1860 issues without UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on either obverse or reverse are transitional patterns, not regular issues, and are generally not included.