1840 – 1873
The Seated Liberty Dollar was first minted in 1840. At that time the same obverse design was used for all 
U.S. silver coins. The design was created by Christian Gobrecht. The obverse features Lady Liberty sitting on a rock, in her right hand she holds the Union Shield inscribed with the word “LIBERTY” and in her left hand she holds a long staff,
The reverse side of the Seated Liberty Dollar features an eagle with the Union Shield across its breast. The eagle is holding an olive branch in its right talons and three arrows in its left talons. The words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” appear in an arc around the upper half of the coin and the words “ONE DOL.” at the bottom below the eagle.
The Seated Liberty Dollar was struck at four different mints; Philadelphia (No mintmark), Carson City – “CC”, New Orleans – O, and San Francisco – S. The mintmark can be found below the eagle’s talons on the reverse.
The most valuable specimens of the Seated Liberty Dollar is the 1870-S of which there are only around 15 known to exist and the 1851-O of which there is only one example known to exist. Strangely enough the 1851-O is not included in the Guidebook of United States Coins. Other extremely rare issues are 1851 (any 
mintmark), 1852, 1858, 1871-CC, 1872-CC and the 1873-CC. The 1858 was produced only as a proof restrike during the 1860s and 1870s and it is estimated that somewhere between 50 and 500 specimens of each of the 1871-CC, 1872-CC and 1873-CC still exist today.
Also of interest was the 1866 No Motto Seated Liberty Dollar which was struck sometime in the 1870s along with a No Motto half dollar and quarter. These were produced especially for one person and only two have been confirmed to exist. These No Motto coins are normally viewed as patterns.
During the Civil War (1861 to 1865) precious metals like silver and gold were scarce and so very little silver coins were produced during those years.
The Seated Liberty Dollar is a popular coin among type collectors, as it would be very difficult, if not impossible and extremely expensive to accumulate an entire set. The most readily available specimens are the 1871 and 1872 Philadelphia strikes.
Seated Liberty Dollar Specifications:
Minted: 1840 – 1873
Diameter: 38.1 mm
Weight: 26.73 g
Composition: 90% silver 10% copper
Silver Content: 24.057 g
Edge: Reeded
Designer: Christian Gobrecht
hi there
just need a quick question answered; i have a sitting liberty coin? silver. without a date. and on the back side, it has a wreath in some kind of flowers, and in the center no. 1 then below that troy ounce,silver,999 i need to no what kind of coin it is. maybe a commeritive?
thanks red
Helo Richie What you have is not actually a coin. It is what is referred to as a Silver Round. A lot of different companies produce these silver bullion “coins” and their value is based upon the spot value of silver.
Hi. I have a silver dollar coin of Seating Liberty dated 1861 at the frond and with an eagle at the back with inscription of “one dol.’. How much is it worth nowadays? Also, at the front portion of the coin, there is a shield but I don’t seem to see the inscription “liberty”. Best regards and more power!
They had one at a British auction two weeks ago. It brought 7,000 pounds about 13,000 dollars.
I have collected 20th century US coins and morgan dollars for a long time. Wanted to get a seated dollar as a type coin. Unfortunately there are very few seated dollars for sale in coin stores in my area regardless of date or condition? what happened to all the seated dollars? Mintage figures in the Red Book do not reflect the availability ?
I have a 1872 silver dollar seated liberty,and just was wondering whats it worth today and what will it be worth later on?
Ive got a 1858-O Seated Liberty Dollar. Im not a coin pro but it looks like its in good shape. Any idea of value? Can’t seem to find out details with my searches thus far. Thanks, JC
good day i have two seated liberty silver dollar coins an 1859 and an 1871 the 1871 has no motto over the eagle .Can you tell me please if this is a rare occurance
The 1859 is a philadelphia mint as no letters appear under the eagle .Also with the 1871 no letter appears beneath the eagle .
i picked these two coins up whislt in iraq could give me an approximate value please .both are in reasonable condition .
I have a 1861 seated liberty but on the back is a shield what do i have and what might it be worth??
I have an 1851 seated liberty silver dollar, how much is it worth? Thank you
Hi, I have a 1865 sitting liberty dollar. When I look in the book it stated the motto did not start until 1866, mine has the motto on it being 1865. I have not taken it to a coin shop yet, but it does have the liberty across the shield. I do not believe it is a fake, there is no signs that it is.
I have an 1861 seated liberty coin with no mint mark. The liberty side of the coin does not have a liberty banner on the Union Shield. Much of the detail on that side of the coin appears to be worn down but distinguishable.
What do I have?
hi;; i have a 1859 silver seated half dollar and 1946 seated half dollar it is silver to;;; how wmh are these worth? very ood condition;; thank you
HI I HAVE AN 1872 DOLLAR COIN WITH THE LIBERTY SEATED LOOKING TO YOUR RIGHT HAND SIDE ,AND IS SEATED IN A CIRCLE THAT IS SAID “LIBERTY” and in the back said ‘TRADE DOLLAR”420 GRAINC 900 FINE.
DOES ANYBODY KNOWS IF IT IS REAL AND HOW MUCH ITS WORTH? I’LL APRECIATE ANY ANSWER,,,,THAK YOU…EVERYBODY.
JOAQUIN to me that sounds like a silver bullion “round”.
I have a1871 sitting liberty coin with an O on the back and copy on the top of the eagle head, Is this real or fake?
If it says “Copy” on it it as a reproduction
Hi I have a 1858 seated liberty dollar and the coin guide that I have says its worth about $3,200 if it is a proof only. I read the article above but I am still confused. Is the coin worth that much? How do I tell if it is a proof?
I have a 1856 seated liberty dolar that has has cc on the back is that possible i can’t find any info about this coin all the replicas i have looked at an ebay and want not either have a motto or no motto but nun have the cc proof mark on the back
Hello. A bum offered to sell me an1845 Liberty Seated with clear “liberty” across the shield, the words “one doll.” and a “cc” inscribed under the feet of the eagle. Additionally, the coin says’ “in God we trust” above the eagle. He wanted $10.00. I know nothing about coins, but believe I may have seen an ad on TV for some kind of coins. I offered him $4.00. It is in pretty good shape. If I can get $10.00 I’d be happy, but if it’s worth more, I will go back and give the bum more than he was asking. A lot more. My wife thinks it’s a fake. Thanks
I was in a souk in Riyadh Saudi Arabia and bought a number of Seated LIberty no motto dollars. They appear authentic.. However, one is 1840 with an obverse CC mint mark. I don’t believe Carson City was open then. Could some older coins have been restruck at Carson City or is this some type of fake?
Also have an 1848 with CC and an 1864 with CC.
Paid minimal price but am curious if fakes, reproductions or restrikes have surfaced in the Persian Gulf.
Thanks
jpa
I have a 1848 seated liberty dollar minted cc, i took it to a coin shop and the guy said because a magnet stuck to it that showed it was fake. Is that true? If not what would be approximate value of coin.
Thank you for you time, will look forward to your reply.
Best regards, Joyce
Hello,
My brother found an 1877 Seated Liberty One Dollar coin in an old shop, and presented it to me as a gift. It looks like the coin presented here; Liberty is seated on a rock with her right hand on a shield and her left hand holding a staff and pennent. The reverse has an eagle clutching arrows and olives branches. There is no motto above the eagle’s head. I have found mint dates of 1840 – 1873 and 1836 – 1891. Which is correct? Also, if you flip Lady Liberty bottom to top, the Bald Eagle is upside down. Is this correct, shouldn’t the top of the obverse be the bottom of the reverse?
Thank you for your time,
David