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
Proof Mintage: 20,923
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.
