Liberty Seated Half Dollars

1839 to 1855

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Liberty Seated Half Dollar varieties are attributed using Bill Bugert's multiple volume "A Register of Liberty Seated Half Dollar Varieties" and will be referenced as WB. Variety collectors are urged to add these Registers to their numismatic libraries.

There are 17 Coins for Sale. Most recent coin added on April 12, 2025

Photo Date Grade TPG Variety GFRC Rating Price Description Buy
Seated 50C 1840 1840
Reverse of 1839
MS64+
PCGS
81471362
WB-1
Gem $8000 Gem Original, Newtown Collection.. A brilliant figure of Liberty emerges from the crusty fields, framed by deeper blue patina at the periphery. The overall preservation level is exceptional, and this near-condition census piece will serve as an upgrade to all but the most advanced sets of Liberty Seated half dollars. Stars to the left are weakly impressed, while the eagle claws are well-defined. WB-1, with reverse die cracks. CAC reports 76 coins overall, with three coins at MS64, four pieces in MS65, and four at the MS66 level. The CAC price guide progresses from $4,350 in MS64 to $11,200 in MS65. Pricing a “plus” attribute is somewhat more art than science, and, in this case, the bidders will decide the appropriate increment above the MS64 value. Ex. Osprey collection (GFRC, June 2021), at $8,500. Housed in a PCGS Gen 6.0 (2015-2020) holder with CAC approval. PCGS #6234.
Seated 50C 1840(O) 1840-(O)
AU55 NGC
6771827002

Original $4600 New Orleans Medium Letters Reverse, No Mintmark, Late Die State, Osprey Collection. Consignor Price Reduction. A special high grade offering of the 1840(O) design type for the advanced collector. The 1840(O) die pairing is necessary for both date/mintmark and type sets resulting in significant demand. The ongoing challenge is locating a choice original specimen as many are well worn or have been molested. GFRC is excited to be offering a mid grade AU example with golden gun metal gray patina and steely fields. The limited wear allows insight into the die rust throughout Liberty's gown lines. Bright light inspection reveals reflective luster and some embedded gold. A 10x inspection revealed chatter in the right obverse field that precludes a GFRC-Choice quality rating. Freshly graded and housed in new large font NGC holder. The 1840-(O) MED LETTERS attribution is illustrated on the NGC label. This lot has been to CAC for review and did not sticker as I'm certain that someone will ask the question.
Seated 50C 1840O 1840-O
MS63+
PCGS
06613793
WB-11
Gem $6500 Satiny Luster, Premium Second Year Issue, Gem Original, Ex.Newtown Collection.. Consignor Price Reduction - Satiny luster flows from both sides of this highly original piece, while an exceptional strike delivers well-defined star points and full claw detail. The lightly toned surfaces reveal only a few ticks, consistent with the grade level. WB-11, with the reverse die crack, although not advanced, easily matching the Bugert plate coin. CAC reports 54 coins total, with three pieces in MS63, two coins at MS64, and a single outlier at MS66. The CAC price guide advances from $6,750 in MS63 to $11,400 in MS64. Ex. Newtown Liberty Seated Half Dollar Collection Sale (GFRC, January 2025) where it realized $7,500. Housed in a PCGS Gen 4.4 (2005-2011) holder with CAC approval.
Seated 50C 1842 1842
Medium Date
EF45 PCGS
45001242
WB-11
Choice HOLD
$450
Medium Date, Steely Gray Reflectance, Peripheral Orange-Gold, Choice Overall, Sooner Collection. Bright light viewing is were the fun is for this GFRC-Choice rated 1842 WB-11 half dollar. The surflaces are steely reflective with some calling the fields partially mirrored. Orange-gold covers the obverse with darker borders. The reverse is mostly untoned with copper-gold at the right edge. Strike is complete with bold motifs stronger than the certified grade would suggest. Rub is consistent across the devices and fields. An attractive example that is consistent with the lots being released by the Sooner Collection. Housed in PCGS Gen 6.1 (2015-2020) holder.
Seated 50C 1842 1842
Medium Date
AU55 PCGS
39373849
WB-14
Original HOLD
$675
New June 29! Medium Date, Heavily Frosted Surfaces, WB-14 Cracked Reverse, Evergreen State Collection. Seated half dollar collectors who may wish to take up a substantial die variety challenge might consider the 1842 and 1843 Philadelphia issues given their propensity for cracked and fully shattered reverse dies. This 1842 Medium Date WB-14 could easily be included in this project as the reverse die cracks are completely consistent with the illustration in Bugert's Register of Liberty Seated Half Dollar Varieties, Volume V. This example offers thick frosted luster with subtle golden hues and a hammered strike. A check of the GFRC Sales Archive revealed only WB-14 examples handled since inception. The Sales Archives are an important resource for die variety availability research. Housed in a PCGS Gen 6.0 (2015-2020) holder.
Seated 50C 1845O 1845-O
MS64 PCGS
6556656
WB-9
Choice $7995 Exceptional Eye Appeal, Important Pittman Pedigree, Mirrored Fields, New Orleans Collection. Frankly, little needs to be said concerning this exceptionally attractive 1845-O WB-9 duplicate from the New Orleans Collection. The images accurately illustrate the gorgeous toning that is so synonymous with the Pittman pedigree. Whether in-hand or under a bright light, the obverse center orange-rose and surrounding blues are quite consistent. What the images are unable to communicate are the underlying mirrored fields that allow the blues to just explode with color vibrancy. This is by far not your typical 1845-O half, rather another testament to the collecting prowess of John Jay Pittman. The strike is 100% complete and the fields are pristine. I don't understand why this piece does not have a CAC green bean. Destined for one of the finest Liberty Seated half dollar collections under construction. Housed in PCGS Gen 4.0 (1998-2002) holder.
Seated 50C 1847O 1847-O
MS65 PCGS
43723651
WB-2
Gem $18000 Condition Census, Superb Gem Original, Steely Reflectance, New Orleans Collection. The New Orleans Collection makes a splash with the release of one of the finest 47-O half dollars extant, with just a single MS65+ graded finer at PCGS. While the mintage of 2,584,000 was sizable for the era, Mint State survivors are unfrequently encountered with any Mint State example being an important rarity in MS64 or finer. Our WB-2 example excels under a bright light with steely reflective fields that are the epitome of undisturbed viewing. The luster is uniform on both sides and a further testament of the unquestionable originality. Though the GFRC images indicate darkly toned surfaces, bright light inspection is a completely different experience with light pastel rose and sky blues dominating the luster. Reverse presentation is similar with golden hues within the legend lettering. The strike is complete and the fields are pristine. This coin has all the hallmarks of a gem and is in the condition census. Advanced Liberty Seated half dollars collectors should take note as the PCGS price guide is $22,500 as reference. Housed in a PCGS Gen 6.1 (2020-2025) holder.
Seated 50C 1849 1849
MS62 NGC
3462103017
WB-1
Choice $1725 Steely Reflective Fields, Light Golden-Gray Patina, Important Dick Osburn Pedigree, Sooner Collection. From the Sooner Collection arrives a choice 1849 WB-1 half with attractive light golden-gray toning over silver surfaces with a hint of blue in the fields. The strike is firm on Liberty's head, the stars and the eagle's claws, key visual inspection points. Under a bright light, the fields are quite steely with radiated reflective luster that is consistent on both sides. The in-hand rose-gray shades shift to golden-gray with darker hues at the borders. The certified grade is a function of light hairlines in the right obverse field seen with light and loupe. Dick Osburn Collection, August 2011 Chicago ANA Auction, lot 7033. Housed in newer NGC holder with edge view insert. The label documents the Dick Osburn Collection pedigree.
Seated 50C 1849 1849
MS64
PCGS
25262963
WB-11
Gem $6000 Gem Original, Newtown Collection.. Medium crust reveals gold and copper patina as this Philadelphia piece is examined under a bright light. Ample luster is partially reflective, and the overall eye appeal easily earns the GFRC Gem rating. WB-11, with repunching in the 1 and effaced detail at the reverse shield point. The left leg of the eagle is softly impressed. CAC has certified 53 coins overall, with 11 pieces at MS64 and a single coin finer, at MS65. The CAC price guide is $6,000, jumping to $15,100 at MS65. Ex. Washington State Collection, via GFRC, February 2022, at $5,250. Housed in a PCGS Gen 5.0 holder with CAC approval. PCGS #6262.
Seated 50C 1849 1849
AU58
PCGS
51218056
WB-11
Choice HOLD
$1575
New June 28! Repunched 1, Early Die State, Crusty Original, CAC Approval. GFRC is pleased to be offering a crusty 1849 WB-11 Seated half with easily seen repunching below the base of the 1 digit and a bold tine above the 1 digit's flag. No die cracks are noted as compared to Bugert's enhanced mapping in his Register of Liberty Seated Half Dollar Variety Volume V which is dedicated to the Philadelphia dates. The original coin gray skin is thick and mutes portions of the available frosted luster when viewed under angled lighting. A complete strike rounds out the positive attributes. Accurately graded with unquestionably original surfaces and ideal for fans of this collecting genre along with being certified at the high demand AU58 grade. The CAC census stands at 54 with a substantial population and price gap between AU58 and MS63. To source this lot, GFRC paid above the CAC price guide given its low population and crusty surfaces. Housed in PCGS Gen 6.1 (2020-2025) holder with CAC approval.
Seated 50C 1849 1849
MS63 NGC
683876005
WB-12
Gem $2650 Partially Mirrored, Gem Original.. GFRC is pleased to be offering a gem original 1849 WB-12 Liberty Seated half, from the Emerald Collection, that was completely fresh to market when first purchased from GFRC April 2024. This lot previously arrived from a new consignor who purchased it during early March 1998. The obverse fields are mirrored with a bright light bringing about a transition from the dark in-hand shades to natural center rose surrounded sky blue colors. Reverse toning is a consistent copper-gold with hints of blue at the rim. Die polished lines are noted behind the eagle. Surfaces are essentially unabraded and are more than consistent with the certified grade. A lot that provides an exceptional viewing experience under angled lighting and is easily warrants the offer price. Housed in NGC Gen 7 (1997-2000) holder. PCGS #6262
Seated 50C 1849O 1849-O
AU58 NGC
6329574009
WB-2
Original $1150 Better New Orleans Date, Steely Reflectance, Emerald Collection. Steely luster is readily apparent under a bright light with hints of gold at the rims for this 1849-O WB-2 release. The strike is typical with weakness at the head and surrounding stars. Light rub is noted across the motifs and fields. Regardless of the 2,310,000 minted, this is a better New Orleans date with PCGS certified AU58 examples limited to only 16 pieces. Housed in new large font NGC holder. Ex. Heritage Auctions, October 2022 Internet sale where it realized $1,080.
Seated 50C 1850 1850
MS65+
PCGS
50073544
WB-4
Gem $55000 Condition Census, Gem Original, Newtown Collection.. Production of silver coinage began falling in 1850, as increasing supplies of gold caused an imbalance in the valuation of silver. Congress corrected the problem only with the Coinage Act of 1853, leaving the Mint to coin a decreasing supply of silver bullion in the intervening years. This low-mintage piece exhibits liberal copper and aqua patina, and the overall eye appeal merits the GFRC Gem designation. Ample luster imparts slight reflectivity to the surfaces. Stars are sharp, while the left claws remain separated, if faintly so. WB-4, with a tine to the upper left of 1. CAC has approved 28 coins total, with a single coin in MS65 (the present coin) and only one piece finer, at MS67. The CAC price guide value is $36,000 (CAC does not price plus grades), while the PCGS value at the MS65+ level is $60,000. Ex. GFRC, August 2023, at $53,000. Housed in a PCGS Gen 6.0 (2015-2020) holder with CAC approval. PCGS #6264.
Seated 50C 1850O 1850-O
MS65
PCGS Rattler
2255047
WB-3
Gem $16500 Gem Original, Newtown Collection.. Frosty luster showcases scattered copper patina on the obverse, while the reverse features a cross-section of gray color across the eagle’s head and right wing. A hammered strike delivers completely defined eagle claws and star centers. WB-3, with die lumps beneath the ribbon extending from the rock. CAC has approved 31 coins in all grades, with three pieces in MS65 and just two examples higher, both in MS66. The CAC price guide assigns a value pf $14,400 in MS65, advancing to $36,000 in MS66. Ex. GFRC, January 2024, at $17,000. Housed in a PCGS Gen 1.2 (1986-1989) old rattler holder with CAC approval. PCGS #6265.
Seated 50C 1850O 1850-O
MS62 NGC
1733120002
WB-6
Choice $1650 Choice Original, Emerald Collection. Streaks of tawny color drape the obverse diagonally, while the reverse shading is an even blue-green with bits of russet patina at the rim. Steely luster creates moderate cartwheel as the coin is rotated under a light. The drapery below the elbow is weak, a typical occurrence in the Seated half series as this portion of the die was often polished. Nicely struck with sharp feather detail beneath the reverse shield. WB-6, with a low date and large mintmark. NGC has certified 97 pieces in all grades, with 28 examples at MS63 or higher. Housed in NGC Gen 14 (2003-2004) standard ring insert holder. Ex. Oregon Beaver Collection via GFRC Online Auctions, May 7, 2022.
Seated 50C 1851O 1851-O
MS63 NGC
6056760015
WB-1
Choice $3650 Pre-1853 Silver Arbitrage Survivor, Steely-Frosted Radiance, Emerald Collection. The discovery of huge amounts of California gold brought about a shift of the bimetallic gold/silver ratio. The U.S. operated under a bimetallic standard from 1792 to 1853, where both gold and silver were used as legal tender. The Coinage Act of 1792 established the gold-to-silver ratio at 15:1, meaning one ounce of gold was valued the same as 15 ounces of silver. This ratio was intended to reflect the market value of the two metals at the time. By 1853, the U.S. began moving away from the bimetallic system, as the discovery of gold in California and other factors disrupted the balance further with silver bullion becoming more valuable than the face value of circulating coinage between 1850 through early 1853. Large denomination coinage struck in New Orleans was prone to export for silver arbitrage purposes. Somehow, this steely-frosted survivor was spared. Bright light radiance is compelling with orange-rose and aquamarine hues blended across the obverse while the reverse features center aquamarine surround by a light orange-gold band. The strike is fully executed with a few wispy rub lines in the fields. Housed in new large font NGC holder. Previously sold at Heritage Auction 09/21 where it realized $4080.
Seated 50C 1852 1852
MS65
PCGS
81341524
WB-2
Gem $21500 Gem Original, Newtown Collection Ex. Bender.. Golden-tan color covers both sides of this GFRC-rated Gem example. The strike is strong, with only star 7 soft, while the reverse is hammered throughout. CAC has approved 21 coins total, including three at the MS65 level, and none higher. The situation at PCGS is nearly as challenging, with five coins at MS65, one piece in MS66, and none finer. WB-2, with underlying lines in the reverse shield. Note, obverse diagonal lines reveal heavy die polish, as struck. This is a much better date among Seated halves, with a mintage of 77,130 pieces. The CAC guide value is $18,000. This piece will not represent a casual purchase for most collectors, and the opportunity to acquire a CAC “top pop” rightly calls for careful consideration. Ex. Tom Bender Collection (Heritage Auctions, February 2023), lot 3746, at $21,600. Housed in a PCGS Gen 6.1 (2020-2024) holder with CAC approval. The label documents the Bender Collection pedigree. PCGS #6268.
Seated 50C 1853 1853
Arrows & Rays
AU55 PCGS
32063911

Choice HOLD
$950
New June 28! Popular Arrows & Rays Type, Steely Fields, Choice Surfaces, Evergreen State Collection. The 1853 Arrows & Rays Liberty Seated half dollar is an ongoing best seller on the GFRC price list given its role as a single year type coin along with being mandatory for full series collectors. This GFRC-Choice rated example arrives courtesy of the Evergreen State client breaking up his Seated type sets. Accurate graded with rub on the breast and lower leg, this piece presents steely radiance under a bright light. Original toning consists of grayish-blues with golden shades. The reverse eye appeal is particularly noteworthy with its peripheral blues that frame a uniform center golden patination. The overall strike is close to complete with only the upper obverse stars lacking center points. This piece is worthy of consideration at the offer price. Housed in a PCGS Gen 6.1 (2020-2025) holder.
Seated 50C 1854O 1854-O
With Arrows
MS65 PCGS
35142422

Gem $5250 Gorgeous Steely-Frosted Luster, Vibrant Cartwheels, Hammered Strike. 1854 New Orleans struck Seated halves are well know for exhibiting a double strike outline or "halo" like features at the stars and date punch. This newly consigned example is so representative of the date with its brilliant frosted luster and vibrant cartwheels. The strike is absolutely hammered with every minute device detail fully struck. The mottled gray toning is much lighted in hand than on GFRC images. A thoroughly satisfying example that deserve a home in an advanced collector. Housed in PCGS Gen 6.0 (2015-2020) holder.
Seated 50C 1854O 1854-O
With Arrows
AU55 PCGS
37452717
WB-46
Choice HOLD
$400
New June 28! Superb Eye Appeal, Near-Gem Original, Bold EB-46 Die Cracks, Evergreen State Collection. GFRC handles a host of consignments and typically there are one or two pieces that offer eye appeal well above the rest. This 1854-O WB-46, from the Evergreen State Collection, warrants a JUST BUY IT NOW recommendation for the sterling presentation that includes rich frosted luster. a bold strike and attractive multicolor toning. Both sides present a host of die cracks that provide for a straightforward attribution against the Bugert diagrams. Hurry on this offering as the new owner will be pleased with the purchase. Housed in a PCGS Gen 6.0 (2015-2020) holder.
Seated 50C 1855 1855
With Arrows
MS64
PCGS
33290557

Choice $4500 Near-Gem Original, Newtown Collection.. Dusty gray patina reveals bits of underlying silver color, more so on the reverse. Light crust is evident around the protected portions of the eagle. Typically struck, with several soft stars. The 1855 Philadelphia With Arrows issue is not rare but remains more challenging than the 1853 and 1854 issues. This is an ideal selection for a type collector seeking additional rarity beyond common date status. CAC has certified 33 coins in all grades, a lower total among Seated halves, with four pieces in MS64 and four examples finer. The PCGS price guide is $5,100. Ex. Regency Auction 26 (Legend, May 2018), lot 573, realized $3,877.50. Housed in a PCGS Gen 6.0 (2015-2020) holder with CAC approval. PCGS #6281.
Seated 50C 1855/54 1855/54
With Arrows
MS62 NGC
1727628003

Original $3250 1855/854 Overdate, Frosty Original, Complete Strike, Very Scarce in Mint State, Emerald Collection. The 1855/854 overdate is a well known die variety with the final date punch over an previously dated 1854 die. The upper left loop of the 8 digit and the crossbar of the 4 remain visible and can be cherrypicked with a 10x loupe. Most enough seen in circulated grades and very scarce in Mint State consistent with the 1855 Philadelphia issue in general. The Emerald Collection is releasing this MS62 example with bold undertype digits and a complete strike. Both sides are also heavily clashed. White frosted surfaces exhibit granular radiance. A faint amount of chatter is noted in the fields consistent with the certified grade along with a probably dip precluding a Choice quality rating. Housed in new large font NGC holder with special Pioneer Boone Family Collection label. The variety attribution is listed as 1855/854 Arrows FS-501.