Liberty Seated Dollars were only struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1857. Production started May 29 with 490 struck and wrapped up on June 30. Three months later SS Central America would sink, pouring gasoline on the slow-moving global financial crisis then coalescing around the Panic of 1857.
Like almost all other silver dollars produced during the period, most of 1857 Liberty Seated Dollars were actually struck for American commercial interests to settle trade balances in Asia. All fractional silver coinage had been struck chronically underweight since 1853 in order to discourage speculators, but the dollar coin had been spared that ignominious fate. As a result, most examples left the country never to return, making this a tougher date to collect than the coin’s 94,490 mintage might suggest.
While collectors are anxious for Prooflike business strikes, surviving Mint State specimens of the 1857 Liberty Seated Dollar almost the case have Prooflike or Semi-Proof-Iike surfaces, mere frosts the top rarities for the issue. Is it possible that Prooflike examples were the result of the May 29, 1857 emission of 490 coins? It’s a question worth asking.
Two die marriages are currently known for the variety and are listed by Dick Osburn and Brian Cushing. OC-1 displays a Proof obverse die paired with a business strike reverse, while OC-2 is a die marriage used only for the production of business strikes. OC-2 is the more frequently encountered marriage.
CAC, NGC, and PCGS combined certified population stands at 250 coins. More than half of the certified 1857 Liberty Seated Dollars are graded in the About Uncirculated to MS64 range. Gems are rare.
Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens
The NGC MS66 population of three coins may also reflect far fewer coins in NGC holders today as the Akers-Gardner coin dropped to MS65 when crossed to PCGS and a Heritage Auctions’ cataloger has indicated that at least one submission event was duplicative.
Top Population: PCGS MS65+ (1, 7/2024), NGC MS66 (3, 7/2024) and CAC MS66 (3:0 stickered:graded, 7/2024).
Estimated Price Realized $99,875.00 Description The David and Sharron Akers Collection NGC 1725739-004 C S Obverse Heritage Auctions, Jan-2014, Lot Number: 5291, Grade: PCGS MS65 CAC NGC Dynamic Registry Direct Link NGC 1725739-004 Obtain Certification Pop Report NGC Composite AUCTION PRICES Realized History Date Price Event Date Price Event Jan-2014 $99,875.00 Auction – Heritage Auction – Heritage Jan 2014 #5291. The Legend-Morelan Collection of Mint State Seated Dollars; Legend Rare Coin Auctions, December 15, 2016, Lot 357 – $73,437.50. Crossed to PCGS, where the coin downgraded by one point. Toned a nice champagne hue. A few nick/jabbing ticks in the left obverse field below stars 6 and 7. Small mark on the crook of Liberty’s elbow. Light cut on cheek. All star radials impressed. There is a light diagonal streak seen on her cheek at 5 o’clock. Frosty and PQ for the grade.
PCGS MS65 CAC #13722780: Legend Rare Coin Auctions, April 27, 2023, Lot 338 – $79,312.50. Silvery-white with streaks of apricot and slate across the figure of Liberty. Stars weak at Liberty’s head. PQ coin.
NGC MS65PL #3017497-005: Heritage Auctions, January 7, 2010.
PCGS MS64 CAC #08501366: Heritage Auctions, April 2006, Lot 2183; “The M & S Petty Collection,” Legend Rare Coin Auctions, July 28, 2022, Lot 245 – $17,037.50; “The Delexa Collection,” Heritage Auctions, January 10, 2024, Lot 3783 – $13,800. Gold-tan hue. Stars 4 to.
NGC MS64PL #1921327-007: Heritage Auctions, July 9, 2009, Lot 773 – $11,500; Heritage Auctions, February 9,.
PCGS MS64 CAC #21572845: Sterling Collection; Sterling Collection acquired by Legend Numismatics; Legend-Morelan Collection of Mint State Seated Dollars; Heritage Auctions, December 2005, Lot 957; “The Issaquah Estate,” Heritage Auctions, May 16, 2019, Lot 17 – $34,075; Heritage Auctions, August 18, 2021, Lot 3367 – $14,400. Sterling-Legend on insert. Stars 4-13 flatly struck. Five ticks in a diagonal to the immediate left of 1.
PCGS MS64 CAC #34341476: As PCGS MS64 #21310480. Heritage Auctions, January 30, 2004, Lot 6295 – $8,337.50. As PCGS MS64 CAC #34341476. Heritage Auctions, January 3, 2018, Lot 3924 – $10,825.20. As PCGS MS64 CAC #21310480. Legend.
NGC MS64* #1749225-012: “La Jolla Collection”; Heritage Auctions, September 4, 2014, Lot 3222 – $16,450; “The Mesquite Collection,” Heritage Auctions, April 27, 2017, Lot 4107 – $9,400. LA JOLLA COLLECTION on insert. Cobalt and electric blue peripheral toning with golden centers. Darkly toned. Horizontal hit across torso. Stars 4-12 weakly struck. On the reverse, tick below eagle’s beak. First S of STATES and AM of AMERICA flatly struck.
PCGS MS64 #08527398: Heritage Auctions, March 15, 2007, Lot 924 – $12,650; “The Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part IV,” Heritage Auctions, October 28, 2015, Lot 98779 – $10,575. Champagne color. Marginally sharper than average strike.
NGC MS64 #3413538-002: Heritage Auctions, February 4, 2014, Lot 5193 – $10,575.
NGC MS64 CAC #3103683-013: Heritage Auctions, November 8, 2011, Lot 3489 – $14,950. Blue and purple tone well at the peripheries.
NGC MS64 #287203-004: Heritage Auctions, December 3, 2009, Lot 914 – $8,625. Stars 4 to 13 weak. Head weak. Large, round spot in the left obverse field, left of Liberty’s elbow. Gold and orange.
NGC MS64 #500993-003: Heritage Auctions, November 17, 2000, Lot 5987 – $7,762.50; Heritage Auctions, February 5, 2009, Lot 1596 – $19,550. Old holder. Obv. rainbow toning; Rev.
PCGS MS64 #21659558: The Malibu Collection: $ 18,400.00 January 10, 2008, Heritage Auctions, Lot 2943. $ 25,875.00 November 2010, Stack’s Bowers, Lot 2266 Sea foam, gray, and peach are seen on the obverse and reverse. A pair of obverse rim hits are just to the left of star 13; another is in the field right of Liberty’s leOn the reverse there is one above the first S of STATES and a diagonal one below TA of STATES.
NGC MS64PL #1887839-006: “The Jack Lee Collection, Part III,” Heritage Auctions, November 3, 2005, Lot 2217 – $8,625.
Design
Obverse:
Liberty seated upon a rock in classical wearing flowy robes, her head turned to the right. Liberty’s left arm is bent with her raised hand holding a Liberty pole with a cap. The right arm hangs at her side, the right hand supporting a shield with the word LIBERTY in a scrolling banner. Thirteen six-pointed stars encircle the seated figure within a denticulated rim with seven on the left side, one between Liberty’s head and the cap, and the remaining five along the right. The date 1857 is centered at the base between the base of the rock and the rim.
Reverse:
An eagle is boldly featured on the reverse within a denticulated rim. The eagle’s wings are partially unfolded but folded downward at the joint as if the majestic bird had just landed or is preparing to fly away. An olive branch is in the dexter claw (the viewer’s left); the sinister claw clutches three arrows. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircles the top two-thirds of the coin inside the rim, with the ONE DOL. denomination centered at the bottom. Most were minted at Philadelphia; branch mintmarks for New Orleans and San Francisco are located below the eagle and above the denomination.
FAQs
1. What is the 1857 Liberty Seated Dollar?
- The 1857 Liberty Seated Dollar is a silver coin issued by the United States Mint as part of the Liberty Seated Dollar series, which was minted from 1840 to 1873. The coin features the iconic design of Lady Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield and a pole with a liberty cap.
2. How much silver is in the 1857 Liberty Seated Dollar?
- The 1857 Liberty Seated Dollar is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. It contains approximately 0.77344 troy ounces (24.057 grams) of pure silver.
3. What is the value of an 1857 Liberty Seated Dollar?
- The value of an 1857 Liberty Seated Dollar can vary widely depending on its condition, rarity, and demand. In general, coins in good condition can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Coins in mint state (MS) or with rare varieties can be worth significantly more.
4. What are the key features of the 1857 Liberty Seated Dollar?
- Key features include:
- Obverse: Lady Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield with her left hand and a pole with a liberty cap in her right hand. The word “LIBERTY” is inscribed on the shield.
- Reverse: An eagle with outstretched wings holding an olive branch and arrows, symbolizing peace and strength. The inscriptions include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR.”
- Date: The year 1857 is inscribed on the obverse, below the seated Liberty figure.
5. How rare is the 1857 Liberty Seated Dollar?
- The 1857 Liberty Seated Dollar is considered a relatively scarce coin, with a mintage of 94,000. While not the rarest in the series, finding one in high-grade condition or with unique varieties can be challenging.