1861 Seated Liberty Half Dime
Owned by 148 LuckyCoin collectors
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About the Seated Liberty Half Dime
The Seated Liberty Half Dime, also known as the “Martha Washington Half Dime”, is a United States coin that was produced by the U.S. Mint from 1837 to 1873. The coin has a face value of five cents and is composed of a combination of copper and nickel (the copper is coated with silver to create an appearance of a silver coin).
The design of the coin depicts Liberty seated on a rocky outcropping, dressed in classic Grecian attire and holding a Liberty pole in her right hand with a shield bearing the inscription, "Liberty" in her left. On the reverse side, the coin bears an eagle surrounded by a wreath of laurel.
The coin was designed by Christian Gobrecht and is considered to be among the most beautiful of U.S. coins from its time. It is also considered to be a valuable collectible, with the rarer dates commanding prices that are many times their face value.
The Seated Liberty Half Dime is a coin that was struck for some 36 years. Minted in Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Carson City, the Seated Liberty Half Dime is a reminder of an earlier time when the United States was still in its infancy. The coin carries a rich history and is a testament to the values that this time period was built on. Therefore, it is a coin that commands considerable respect, particularly among coin collectors.
The 1861 Seated Liberty Half Dime coin, has a total mintage of 3,360,000, struck at the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania mint, and engraved by Christian Gobrecht. Made of silver (.900) (.100 copper), weighing 1.24 grams, with a diameter of 15.5 mm, and a thickness of 0.8 mm, and featuring a reeded edge.
The obverse is seating liberty, looking right above her shoulder, with a phrygian cap on a stick and a shield, country name around her. It reads “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1860”. The reverse is face value in a wreath. It reads “HALF DIME O”.
Price by Grade
Sign up to see prices| Grade | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 4 | $45.00 |
| 8 | $50.00 |
| 12 | $50.00 |
| 20 | $55.00 |
| 40 | $65.00 |
| 50 | $130.00 |
| 55 | $160.00 |
| 60 | $210.00 |
| 62 | $320.00 |
| 63 | $500.00 |
| 64 | $500.00 |
| 65 | $900.00 |
Specifications
- Type
- Standard circulation coins
- Composition
- Silver (.900) (.100 copper)
- Weight
- 1.24 g
- Diameter
- 15.5 mm
- Thickness
- 0.8 mm
- Edge
- Reeded
- Designer
- Christian Gobrecht
- Currency
- Dollar (1785-date)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the mintage of the 1861 Seated Liberty Half Dime?
- The 1861 Seated Liberty Half Dime has a total mintage of 3,360,000.
- What is the 1861 Seated Liberty Half Dime made of?
- The 1861 Seated Liberty Half Dime is made of silver (.900) (.100 copper), weighs 1.24 grams, measures 15.5 mm in diameter.
- Where was the 1861 Seated Liberty Half Dime minted?
- The 1861 Seated Liberty Half Dime was struck at the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania mint.
- How many people collect the 1861 Seated Liberty Half Dime?
- 148 LuckyCoin collectors currently track the 1861 Seated Liberty Half Dime in their collection.
- How much is a 1861 Seated Liberty Half Dime worth?
- A 1861 Seated Liberty Half Dime is valued between $45 and $900, depending on grade and condition.
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