Circulation Strike Circulation Strike

Circulation Strike

Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issue Dates: 1866-1873, 1875-1891
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Diameter: 30.6 mm
Weight: 12.44 grams (191.97 grains, 1866 to 1873), 12.50 grams (192.90 grains, 1875-1891)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 56,138,834

The regular Liberty Seated design, which had been in use since 1839, was modified in 1866 by the addition of IN GOD WE TRUST to the reverse. The motto appears on a scroll or ribbon above the eagle. A similar change was effected in the quarter and dollar denominations. Production was continuous at the Philadelphia Mint from 1866 onward. Business strikes were also made at San Francisco and Carson City, with several of the Carson City varieties, particularly those in the early 1870s, being rare today. Certain half dollars of 1873 and all of 1874 have arrows at the date and are a separate type. Business strike Philadelphia Mint issues from 1879 through 1890 were produced in low numbers, as the Mint was busy turning out unprecedented quantities of silver dollars at the time.

Examples of common dates within the series, Philadelphia Mint issues of 1875 through 1878, for example, are relatively easy to obtain in grades from Good through Very Fine. Extremely Fine coins are scarcer, AU pieces are scarcer yet, and Uncirculated coins can be called very scarce. Superb Uncirculated pieces are quite rare. Proofs exist in proportion to their original mintages.

1870-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
1870-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 54,617
Estimated Survivors: 145-165 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1870 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | HALF DOL. | CC

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1871-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
1871-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 153,950
Estimated Survivors: 200-300 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1871 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | HALF DOL. | CC

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1872-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
1872-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 257,000
Estimated Survivors: 300-400 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1872 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | HALF DOL. | CC

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1873-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
1873-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
Variety: No Arrows
Circulation Mintage: 122,500
Estimated Survivors: 250-350 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1873 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | HALF DOL. | CC

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1875-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
1875-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 1,008,000
Estimated Survivors: 1,000-2,000 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1875 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | HALF DOL. | CC

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1876-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
1876-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 1,956,000
Estimated Survivors: 2,500-4,500 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1876 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | HALF DOL. | CC

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1877-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
1877-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 1,420,000
Estimated Survivors: 5,000-7,500 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1877 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | HALF DOL. | CC

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1878-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
1878-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 62,000
Estimated Survivors: 125-175 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1878 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | HALF DOL. | CC

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1878-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar
1878-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar
Circulation Mintage: 12,000
Estimated Survivors: About 60 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1878 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | IN GOD WE TRUST | HALF DOL. | S

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