In the 19th century, Christian Gobrecht’s popular "Liberty Seated" design was the most prominent image on a coin. It also had the greatest longevity of the United States coinage of the time.
The Liberty Seated design was first seen in 1836 on a limited number of silver dollars. It entered widespread use in 1837, when the half-dime and dime were first struck with obverses bearing the Liberty Seated design.
The Liberty Seated design was used on several coins including the quarter and dollar.
Engraver Of Liberty Seated Coins
Christian Gobrecht was a German-American born in Hanover, Pennsylvania in 1785.
His early life saw him develop as an artist and engraver. He was also an apprentice for a clockmaker, during which time he honed his skills as a respected engraver.
After moving to Philadelphia in 1811, he eventually became well known for his engraving work.
By the 1820s, Gobrecht had begun engraving dies and had an interest in working as an engraver for the U.S. Mint. Though he was not offered the position of head engraver for years, he did do some important work for the U.S. Mint producing some punches.
In the late summer of 1835, Gobrecht was officially hired as a second engraver after primary engraver at the time, William Kneass, suffered a debilitating stroke.
Liberty Seated Silver Dollars
Work soon began on a new design for the silver dollar; this became the first coin to bear the Liberty Seated design that famously adorned most of U.S. coin denominations during the bulk of 1800s.
Silver dollars produced from 1836 through 1839 are popularly referred to as Gobrecht dollars.
Silver dollars produced from 1840 to 1873 still bear the Liberty Seated design but are called Liberty Seated dollars.
Liberty Seated Design On All Coins
By 1840, the Liberty Seated design had been placed on the obverse of all coins ranging from the half dime through the silver dollar.
The Liberty Seated design also appeared on the briefly struck 20-cent piece (1875-1878).
Gobrecht passed away in 1844, but his renowned Liberty Seated design would go on to grace our nation’s coins until 1891.
Liberty Seated Coin Changes
Liberty Seated coins have a very strong following of dedicated collectors.
Of interest to coin collectors are the several minor varieties that were made to various aspects of the Liberty Seated coins over the several decades that the design remained in use.
Varieties include the addition or removal of arrows around the date on the obverse, addition and removal of stars and rays, and the addition of a ribbon bearing the motto "In God We Trust" over the eagle on the reverse of quarters, half-dollars, and dollars.
Liberty Seated Type Values
Values of for Liberty Seated coins vary. "Type" values for each of the Liberty Seated denominations can be found below.
These are the lowest average prices one can expect to obtain an example of a Liberty Seated coins. Prices run higher for certain varieties and certain dates:
- Liberty Seated Half-Dime (1837-1873): $16-150 from Good to Mint-State 60
- Liberty Seated Dime (1837-1891): $16-150 from Good to Mint-State 60
- Liberty Seated 20-Cent Piece (1875-1878): $100-575 from Good to Mint-State 60
- Liberty Seated Quarter (1838-1891): $20-250 from Good to Mint-State 60
- Liberty Seated Half-Dollar (1839-1891): $30-450 from Good to Mint-State 60
- Gobrecht Dollar (1836-1839): $11,500-25,000 from Very Fine to Mint-State 60
- Liberty Seated Dollar (1840-1873): $225-1,650 from Good to Mint-State 60
All values above are from the 2009 edition of A Guide Book of United States Coins by R.S. Yeoman and Kenneth Bressett.
More About Liberty Seated Coins
I'm a roller coaster junkie, a weather enthusiast, a frequent traveler, and a numismatist. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century. I'm a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG). I've also been studying meteorology and watching weather patterns for years. I enjoy sharing little-known facts and fun stuff about coins, weather, travel, health, food, and living green... on a budget.
