Christian Gobrecht’s Liberty Seated design, first tested on the dollar, debuted for circulation on the half dime and dime in 1837. The obverse shows Liberty seated on a rock holding a shield and liberty cap; over the fifty-plus years of the series the design was modified several times, giving collectors a number of distinct types.
Key facts
- Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
- Issue dates: 1837–1891
- Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
- Diameter: 17.9 mm
- Weight: ~2.49 grams
- Edge: Reeded
The series breaks into five design types: No Stars (1837–1838), Stars on Obverse (1838–1853, 1856–1860), Arrows at Date with Stars (1853–1855, marking a weight reduction), Legend on Obverse (1860–1873, 1875–1891, when UNITED STATES OF AMERICA replaced the stars), and Arrows at Date with Legend (1873–1874, marking a small weight increase). Any of these satisfies a basic type set; the No Stars and Arrows types are the scarcer ones.
A truly complete date-and-mintmark set is all but impossible. The 1873-CC No Arrows is unique and worth into seven figures; other pre-1875 Carson City (CC) dates are difficult, as are the early San Francisco (S) issues of the mid-to-late 1850s, the Philadelphia issues of the mid-1860s, and the 1885-S. Proofs were distributed to collectors from 1858 onward.
We actively buy Seated Liberty dimes in every grade, from well-worn type coins to rare CC and S-mint dates and choice Proofs. Send photos for a free, no-obligation offer.