Seated Liberty Half Dollar 50c No Motto Reverse, 1839-1865 PR DCAM [Type]

Designer: Christian Gobrecht. Weight: 1839–1853: 13.36 grams; 1856–1866: 12.44. Composition: .900 silver, .100 copper. Diameter: 30.6 mm. Edge: Reeded. Mints: Philadelphia, New Orleans.

Key to Collecting: Examples can be acquired with no difficulty (note that the 1853 and the 1854 and 1855 are considered to be separate types, and are thus excluded from the present category). Most half dollars of this design are available in proportion to their mintage quantities. The earlier dates are scarcer in higher grades. Many Mint State pieces exist. Those in the 1850’s and very early 1860’s are most often seen.

Aspects of Striking and Appearance: Striking can be a problem and varies from year to year and die combination to die combination but, as always, this contributes to the appeal of seeking a piece that is just right for your collection. Check the high areas of Liberty, the details of her head, and the stars on the obverse. On the reverse, the eagle is often weak, typically at the lower left. The denticles, usually sharp, should be checked as well. New Orleans coins are typically less well struck than are those from Philadelphia or San Francisco.

Proof Coins: Proofs were made of most of the years in this range, with production beginning in a particularly significant way in 1858. Today, Proofs are readily available from this point through 1865. Quality is often lacking, and care should be given when making a purchase.