11

Liberty Seated Coinage:Liberty Seated Coinage:

A Collector’s Overview A Collector’s Overview

August 10, 2010August 10, 2010

Bill BugertBill Bugert

22

BasicBasic Liberty Seated Design Liberty Seated DesignMinted 1837-1891Minted 1837-1891

Designed by Christian GobrechtDesigned by Christian Gobrecht

½ dimes and dimes – ½ dimes and dimes – wreath and laurel, legend, wreath and laurel, legend, and denominationand denomination

Later wreath of agricultural Later wreath of agricultural productsproducts

Other denominations – Other denominations – eagle with shield, olive eagle with shield, olive branch, and arrowsbranch, and arrows

Goddess LibertyGoddess Liberty• In a flowing dressIn a flowing dress• Seated on rockSeated on rock

Shield symbolizes defenseShield symbolizes defense Pole with cap symbolizing Pole with cap symbolizing

freedomfreedom 13 stars = 13 colonies13 stars = 13 colonies

33

Many Liberty Seated Design Many Liberty Seated Design Variations (Types)Variations (Types)

Flying eagle in field of Flying eagle in field of stars/no starsstars/no stars

With/without Gobrecht’s With/without Gobrecht’s namename

Stars/no stars obverseStars/no stars obverse Drapery/no drapery below Drapery/no drapery below

Liberty’s elbowLiberty’s elbow Large rock Large rock

support/reduced rock support/reduced rock supportsupport

2 or 3 vertical obverse 2 or 3 vertical obverse shield stripesshield stripes

6, 9, 10 horizontal stripes 6, 9, 10 horizontal stripes on reverse shieldon reverse shield

Tilted/upright obverse Tilted/upright obverse shieldshield

Eagle, wreath & Laurel, Eagle, wreath & Laurel, agricultural reverseagricultural reverse

Minutes hub variations – Minutes hub variations – open/closed claws, open/closed claws, open/closed budsopen/closed buds

Arrows/no arrows at dateArrows/no arrows at date Outstretching rays on Outstretching rays on

reversereverse Motto/no MottoMotto/no Motto Stars obverse, legend Stars obverse, legend

obverseobverse Small/large stars on Small/large stars on

obverseobverse

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For the Die Hard Collectors!For the Die Hard Collectors! Countless die marriages and interesting Countless die marriages and interesting

varietiesvarieties• Double dies, double dates, misplaced dates, Double dies, double dates, misplaced dates,

repunched dates, repunched mintmarks, etc.repunched dates, repunched mintmarks, etc.• Half DollarsHalf Dollars

San Francisco – 1855-1878, 230 die marriagesSan Francisco – 1855-1878, 230 die marriages Carson City – 1870-1878, 97 die marriagesCarson City – 1870-1878, 97 die marriages New Orleans – 1840-1861, 417 die marriagesNew Orleans – 1840-1861, 417 die marriages Philadelphia – 1839-1891, 1,000+ die marriagesPhiladelphia – 1839-1891, 1,000+ die marriages These totals don’t include the reed count variations!These totals don’t include the reed count variations!

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Food for Thought!Food for Thought! Plenty in the Liberty Seated series to spark Plenty in the Liberty Seated series to spark

your collector interestyour collector interest Collect by:Collect by:

• TypeType• DenominationDenomination• Date setDate set• VarietiesVarieties

Complete setComplete set Specific numberSpecific number Date, Mint, etc.Date, Mint, etc.

• What’s popular or what’s unpopularWhat’s popular or what’s unpopular• Attractive coinsAttractive coins• BudgetBudget

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Christian Gobrecht (1785-1844)Christian Gobrecht (1785-1844)

1785: Born in Hanover, PA 1785: Born in Hanover, PA (South-central PA)(South-central PA)

Clockmaker, inventor, Clockmaker, inventor, diemaker, engraverdiemaker, engraver

1811: Moved to Philadelphia 1811: Moved to Philadelphia 1823: Applied for Chief 1823: Applied for Chief

EngraverEngraver 1835-1840: Second Engraver1835-1840: Second Engraver 1840-1844: Chief Engraver1840-1844: Chief Engraver Patterns, medals, regular Patterns, medals, regular

issue Liberty Seated coinageissue Liberty Seated coinage

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Gobrecht’s Birthplace and GraveGobrecht’s Birthplace and Grave

Trinity United Church of Christ parking lot, Hanover, PA

Site of the old Emmanuel Church

Lawnview Memorial Park, Rockledge, PA

88

1830s: Evolution of the 21830s: Evolution of the 2ndnd US Mint US Mint

“The inadequacy of the present accomodationsof the Mint has become so obvious and the unsightly aspect which the buildings present is so little suitable to its character as a National Institution….”

---Mint Director Samuel Moore, 1828

First United States Mint in Philadelphia,7th Street & Sugar Alley, c. 1854

1833: Second U.S. Mint opens in Philadelphia at Chestnut/JuniperStreets

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Changes in Minting TechnologyChanges in Minting Technology(Coincidental with change from bust to seated design)(Coincidental with change from bust to seated design)

1833 - 1835: Franklin Peale tours Europe, 1833 - 1835: Franklin Peale tours Europe, brings back latest minting technologybrings back latest minting technology

1836: Portrait lathe introduced; engravers 1836: Portrait lathe introduced; engravers now working with clay/wax models instead now working with clay/wax models instead of die steelof die steel

1836: Steam press replaces manual screw 1836: Steam press replaces manual screw press for minting coinspress for minting coins

1840: Compound date punches used1840: Compound date punches used

1010

Bust/Seated TransitionBust/Seated Transition

1840-O WB-101, reverse of Bust half (obverse matched to O-mint regular dies)

1111

Bust/Seated TransitionBust/Seated Transition

1212

Establishment of the Establishment of the New Orleans New Orleans Branch MintBranch Mint

Southern territorial gold dating in 1830’sSouthern territorial gold dating in 1830’s Southern Branch mints (New Orleans, Southern Branch mints (New Orleans,

Charlotte, Dahlonega) enacted in 1835 in Charlotte, Dahlonega) enacted in 1835 in response to southern gold mining and response to southern gold mining and increasing commerce through New increasing commerce through New Orleans Orleans

Built in 1837, Liberty Seated coinage Built in 1837, Liberty Seated coinage began with half dimes and dimes in 1838began with half dimes and dimes in 1838

1313

1838-O Dime1838-O Dime

1414

San FranciscoSan FranciscoBranch MintBranch Mint

1848 - Gold discovered at 1848 - Gold discovered at Sutter’s Mill near Coloma, CASutter’s Mill near Coloma, CA

Influx of prospectors - Influx of prospectors - thriving economythriving economy

No No nearbynearby source of source of legallegal circulating coinagecirculating coinage

1852 - Congress authorized 1852 - Congress authorized SF Branch MintSF Branch Mint

1854 - Dies received1854 - Dies received Silver coinage commenced in Silver coinage commenced in

1855 thru 1891 for Liberty 1855 thru 1891 for Liberty Seated designSeated design

1515

Early SF Coinage:Early SF Coinage:1855-S Branch Mint Proof 50c1855-S Branch Mint Proof 50c

DLRC Richmond III 3/2005:1797 3 known

1616

Early SF Coinage: 1856-S/s 25cEarly SF Coinage: 1856-S/s 25c

Stack’s 2007

ANA8/2007:525, NGC AU58

$40,000

1717

1850s Types: 1853 A&R Quarter1850s Types: 1853 A&R Quarter

1818

Civil War Coinage: 1861-O “Confederate” Half DollarCivil War Coinage: 1861-O “Confederate” Half Dollar

Diagnostic: die crack to from rim to Liberty’s nose (WB-102)

See also: R. Wiley, GJs #94, 97

1919

With Motto CoinageWith Motto Coinage

Precipitated by the horrors seen in the Precipitated by the horrors seen in the Civil War and American belief in GodCivil War and American belief in God

Initially adopted by Congress on the Two Initially adopted by Congress on the Two Cent piece in 1864Cent piece in 1864• Related pattern coinage beginning in 1861Related pattern coinage beginning in 1861

The Act of March 3, 1865 mandated that The Act of March 3, 1865 mandated that all silver and gold coins of sufficient size all silver and gold coins of sufficient size bear the motto, bear the motto, In God We Trust

2020

With Motto CoinageWith Motto Coinage::1870-CC Half Dollar1870-CC Half Dollar

2121

Carson City Carson City Branch MintBranch Mint

1859 - Discovery of the Comstock Lode led to a large 1859 - Discovery of the Comstock Lode led to a large amount of gold and silver bullion being mined in the areaamount of gold and silver bullion being mined in the area

1864 - CC Nevada assay office authorized by Congress1864 - CC Nevada assay office authorized by Congress 1866 - Construction began1866 - Construction began 1869 - Building completed; dies shipped1869 - Building completed; dies shipped 1870 - Coinage began1870 - Coinage began 1870 - 1878 - Liberty Seated silver coinage 1870 - 1878 - Liberty Seated silver coinage 1870 - 1873 - Carson City silver coinage often found with 1870 - 1873 - Carson City silver coinage often found with

porous surfaces (coin planchets procured locally)porous surfaces (coin planchets procured locally)

2222

Carson City Coinage: 1870-1893Carson City Coinage: 1870-1893

2323

Carson City Coinage: 1873-CC 10cCarson City Coinage: 1873-CC 10c

2424

Expanding Silver CoinageExpanding Silver Coinage

Specie Payment Redemption Act of Specie Payment Redemption Act of January 1875 declared that large January 1875 declared that large quantities of silver coinage be issued quantities of silver coinage be issued to redeem fractional paper moneyto redeem fractional paper money• U.S. Mint purchased large quantities of silver U.S. Mint purchased large quantities of silver

bullion in 1875 and 18bullion in 1875 and 187676 Increased quantities of 10Increased quantities of 10¢, 25¢, and ¢, 25¢, and

50¢ minted at all mints50¢ minted at all mints

2525

Expanding Silver Coinage: 1876-S 25cExpanding Silver Coinage: 1876-S 25c

2626

Late Date Seated CoinageLate Date Seated Coinage

Bland-Allison Act of 1878 mandated Bland-Allison Act of 1878 mandated that the U.S. Treasury purchase $2M that the U.S. Treasury purchase $2M - $4M of silver bullion each month for - $4M of silver bullion each month for coining silver dollarscoining silver dollars

Sec. Treasurer John Sherman Sec. Treasurer John Sherman suspended production of subsidiary suspended production of subsidiary coinage in Feb. 1878coinage in Feb. 1878

Reduced production of minor coinageReduced production of minor coinage

2727

Late Date Seated Coinage: 1881 QuarterLate Date Seated Coinage: 1881 Quarter

Liberty Seated Liberty Seated DenominationsDenominations

OverviewOverview

2828

2929

Liberty Seated Half DimesLiberty Seated Half Dimes

Minted from 1837-1873 at 3 Mints Minted from 1837-1873 at 3 Mints (P,O,S)(P,O,S)

Type coinsType coins• No Obverse Stars (1837-1838)No Obverse Stars (1837-1838)• Obverse Stars, No Drapery (1838-1840)Obverse Stars, No Drapery (1838-1840)• Obverse Stars, With Drapery (1840-1853 Obverse Stars, With Drapery (1840-1853

and 1856-1859)and 1856-1859)• With Arrows at Date (1853-1855)With Arrows at Date (1853-1855)• With Obverse Legend (1860-1873)With Obverse Legend (1860-1873)

3030

Liberty Seated Half DimesLiberty Seated Half Dimes

Complete Complete business strike setbusiness strike set contains 70 coinscontains 70 coins

Difficulty level: ChallengingDifficulty level: Challenging Key coins: 1846, 1853-O No Arrows, Key coins: 1846, 1853-O No Arrows,

1863, 1864, 1865, 1866 and 18671863, 1864, 1865, 1866 and 1867

3131

Liberty Seated Half DimesLiberty Seated Half Dimes

Die variety collecting becoming more Die variety collecting becoming more popularpopular

The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half DimesAl Blythe, DLRC Press 1992

3232

Liberty Seated DimesLiberty Seated Dimes

Minted from 1837-1891 at 4 MintsMinted from 1837-1891 at 4 Mints Type coinsType coins

• No Obverse Stars (1837-1838)No Obverse Stars (1837-1838)• Obverse Stars, No Drapery (1838-1840)Obverse Stars, No Drapery (1838-1840)• Obverse Stars, With Drapery (1840-1853 Obverse Stars, With Drapery (1840-1853

and 1856-1860)and 1856-1860)• With Arrows at Date (1853-1855)With Arrows at Date (1853-1855)• With Obverse Legend (1860-1873 and With Obverse Legend (1860-1873 and

1875-1891)1875-1891)• With Arrows at Date (1873-1874)With Arrows at Date (1873-1874)

3333

Liberty Seated DimesLiberty Seated Dimes

Complete Complete business strike setbusiness strike set contains 114 coinscontains 114 coins

Difficulty level: Extremely Difficulty level: Extremely challengingchallenging

Key coins: 1844, 1846, 1856-S, 1858-Key coins: 1844, 1846, 1856-S, 1858-S, 1859-S, 1860-O, 1863, 1864, S, 1859-S, 1860-O, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1870-S, 1871-CC, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1870-S, 1871-CC, 1872-CC, 1873-CC, 1874-CC, and 1872-CC, 1873-CC, 1874-CC, and 1885-S1885-S

3434

Liberty Seated DimesLiberty Seated Dimes

Die variety collecting is popularDie variety collecting is popular

Encyclopedia of United States Liberty Seated Dimes, 1837-1891Kamal M. Ahwash, Kamah Press 1977

The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated DimesBrian Greer, DLRC Press 1992

Fortin Liberty Seated Dime Web BookGerry Fortin, http://www.seateddimevarieties.com

3535

Liberty Seated Twenty CentsLiberty Seated Twenty Cents

Minted from 1875-1878 at 3 Mints (P,S,CC)Minted from 1875-1878 at 3 Mints (P,S,CC) 1877 and 1878 coins are all proofs1877 and 1878 coins are all proofs One type coin for seriesOne type coin for series Complete Complete business strike setbusiness strike set contains 4 coins, contains 4 coins,

excluding the super rarity of 1876-CCexcluding the super rarity of 1876-CC Difficulty level: EasyDifficulty level: Easy Complete Complete proof setproof set contains 4 coins contains 4 coins Difficulty level: AttainableDifficulty level: Attainable No bookNo book on series on series Series not popularSeries not popular

3636

Liberty Seated QuartersLiberty Seated Quarters Minted from 1838-1891 at 4 Mints Minted from 1838-1891 at 4 Mints

(P,O,S,CC)(P,O,S,CC) Type coinsType coins

• No Drapery on Obverse (1838-1840)No Drapery on Obverse (1838-1840)• With Drapery on Obverse (1840-1853 With Drapery on Obverse (1840-1853

and 1856-1865)and 1856-1865)• With Arrows and Rays (1853)With Arrows and Rays (1853)• With Arrows (1854-1855)With Arrows (1854-1855)• With Motto on Reverse (1866-1873 and With Motto on Reverse (1866-1873 and

1875-1891)1875-1891)• With Arrows (1873-1874)With Arrows (1873-1874)

3737

Liberty Seated QuartersLiberty Seated Quarters Complete Complete business strikebusiness strike set contains set contains

108 coins108 coins Difficulty level: Extremely challengingDifficulty level: Extremely challenging Grade Rarity: 1859-S, 1861-SGrade Rarity: 1859-S, 1861-S Key coins: 1849-O, 1851-O, 1852-O, Key coins: 1849-O, 1851-O, 1852-O,

1853 No Arrows, 1860-S, 1864-S, 1853 No Arrows, 1860-S, 1864-S, 1866, 1869, 1870-CC, 1871-CC, 1871-1866, 1869, 1870-CC, 1871-CC, 1871-S, 1872-CC, 1872-S, 1873-CC, 1878-S, S, 1872-CC, 1872-S, 1873-CC, 1878-S, 1884, 1886, 1887, and 1891-O1884, 1886, 1887, and 1891-O

3838

Liberty Seated QuartersLiberty Seated Quarters

Die variety collecting is becoming Die variety collecting is becoming more popularmore popular

The Comprehensive The Comprehensive EncyclopediaEncyclopediaOf United States Liberty Seated Of United States Liberty Seated QuartersQuarters Larry Briggs, Larry Briggs Rare Larry Briggs, Larry Briggs Rare Coins, 1991Coins, 1991

3939

Liberty Seated Half DollarsLiberty Seated Half Dollars Minted from 1838-1891 at 4 Mints Minted from 1838-1891 at 4 Mints

(P,O,S,CC)(P,O,S,CC) Type coinsType coins

• No Drapery on Obverse (1839)No Drapery on Obverse (1839)• With Drapery on Obverse, No Motto With Drapery on Obverse, No Motto

(1839-1853 and 1856-1866)(1839-1853 and 1856-1866)• With Arrows and Rays (1853)With Arrows and Rays (1853)• With Arrows (1854-1855)With Arrows (1854-1855)• With Motto on Reverse (1866-1873 and With Motto on Reverse (1866-1873 and

1875-1891)1875-1891)• With Arrows (1873-1874)With Arrows (1873-1874)

4040

Liberty Seated Half DollarsLiberty Seated Half Dollars Complete Complete business strikebusiness strike set set

contains 112 coinscontains 112 coins Difficulty level: Very challengingDifficulty level: Very challenging Key coins: 1850, 1851, 1852, 1855-S, Key coins: 1850, 1851, 1852, 1855-S,

1866-S No Motto, 1870-CC, 1871-CC, 1866-S No Motto, 1870-CC, 1871-CC, 1873-CC No Arrows, 1874-CC, 1878-1873-CC No Arrows, 1874-CC, 1878-CC, 1878-SCC, 1878-S

Super raritiesSuper rarities• 1853-O NA - 3 known1853-O NA - 3 known• 1866 No motto - Unique1866 No motto - Unique

4141

Liberty Seated Half DollarsLiberty Seated Half Dollars

Die variety collecting is very popularDie variety collecting is very popular

The Complete Guide to The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half DollarsLiberty Seated Half DollarsRandy Wiley & Bill Bugert, Randy Wiley & Bill Bugert, DLRC Press, 1993DLRC Press, 1993

New Book – May 2009SF Branch Mint Die VarietiesBy Bill Bugert

New Book – May 2010CC Branch Mint Die VarietiesBy Bill Bugert

4242

Liberty Seated DollarsLiberty Seated Dollars Minted from 1840-1873 at 4 Mints Minted from 1840-1873 at 4 Mints

(P,O,S,CC)(P,O,S,CC) Type coinsType coins

• No Motto (1840-1865)No Motto (1840-1865)• With Motto (1866-1873)With Motto (1866-1873)

Complete Complete business strikebusiness strike set set contains 43 coinscontains 43 coins

Difficulty level: Very challengingDifficulty level: Very challenging Key coins: 1851, 1852, 1854, 1855, Key coins: 1851, 1852, 1854, 1855,

1861, 1862, 1870-CC, 1870-S, 1871-1861, 1862, 1870-CC, 1870-S, 1871-CC, 1872-CC, and 1873-CCCC, 1872-CC, and 1873-CC

4343

Liberty Seated DollarsLiberty Seated Dollars

1858 is a proof only issue that is 1858 is a proof only issue that is highly valuedhighly valued

Die variety collecting is not popularDie variety collecting is not popular

Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars of the United States (Volume One)Q. David Bowers, Bowers and Merena Galleries, 1993

4444

Trade DollarsTrade Dollars

Thematic Liberty Seated Thematic Liberty Seated influenced design by influenced design by William BarberWilliam Barber

Issued for circulation in Issued for circulation in the Orientthe Orient

Minted from 1873-1885Minted from 1873-1885 1879-1885 are proofs 1879-1885 are proofs

onlyonly One type coin for seriesOne type coin for series

4545

Trade DollarsTrade Dollars

Complete Complete business strikebusiness strike set set contains 17 coinscontains 17 coins

Difficulty level: AttainableDifficulty level: Attainable Key coin: 1878-CCKey coin: 1878-CC 1884 and 1885 proofs are extreme 1884 and 1885 proofs are extreme

raritiesrarities

4646

Trade DollarsTrade Dollars Die variety collecting is becoming more Die variety collecting is becoming more

popularpopular Chopmarked (counter-stamped Oriental Chopmarked (counter-stamped Oriental

characters) collecting is also becoming characters) collecting is also becoming more popularmore popular

Modern Chinese counterfeitsModern Chinese counterfeitsSilver Dollars and Trade Dollars of the United States (Volume One)Q. David Bowers, Bowers and Merena Galleries, 1993

The United StatesTrade DollarJohn Willem, Whitman Publishing,1965

4747

ResourcesResources

4848

Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC)Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC)

Dues are $20 per year. Three issues of The Gobrecht Journal are published annually.

Web Site: http://www.lsccweb.org

John McCloskey, President and Editor:

John.McCloskey@notes.udayton.edu

Club Memberships:

Len Augsburger

Secretary-Treasurer LSCC

P.O. Box 6114, Vernon Hills, IL 60061

4949

Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources

Walter Breen, Walter Breen, Complete Encyclopedia of Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial CoinsU.S. and Colonial Coins, 1988, 1988

Don Taxay, Don Taxay, U.S. Mint and CoinageU.S. Mint and Coinage, 1966, 1966

Neil Carothers, Neil Carothers, Fractional MoneyFractional Money, 1930, 1930

Gobrecht Journal, Collective Volumes 1-5Gobrecht Journal, Collective Volumes 1-5

5050

Electronic ResourcesElectronic Resources E-GobrechtE-Gobrecht

• Free monthly electronic newsletter available to allFree monthly electronic newsletter available to all• 2006 and 2008 ANA “Best Electronic Publication”2006 and 2008 ANA “Best Electronic Publication”• Subscribe via Bill Bugert at Subscribe via Bill Bugert at wb8cpy@earthlink.netwb8cpy@earthlink.net

LSCC WebsiteLSCC Website• http://www.lsccweb.org• Gobrecht Journal index, issues #1 - #99Gobrecht Journal index, issues #1 - #99• Free chat boardFree chat board• E-Gobrecht archivesE-Gobrecht archives

Fortin Seated Dime Web-BookFortin Seated Dime Web-Book• http://www.seateddimevarieties.com

5151

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Len AugsburgerLen Augsburger Q. David Bowers, Stack’sQ. David Bowers, Stack’s Christine Karstedt, Stack’sChristine Karstedt, Stack’s Jeremy KatzJeremy Katz Steven LiuSteven Liu John McCloskey, President LSCCJohn McCloskey, President LSCC Heritage GalleriesHeritage Galleries Rory ReaRory Rea