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 18 Coins for Sale. Most recent coin added on December 3, 2024

Photo Date Grade TPG Variety GFRC Rating Price Description Buy
Seated 50C 1839 1839
With Drapery
MS64
PCGS Rattler
5083102
WB-5
Gem $9500 With Drapery, Gem Original, Newtown Collection.. Light russet toning at the rims highlights the swirling, frosted luster of this GFRC-rated Gem example. Occasional shades of olive and blue-green are additionally evident at the dentils, and the vibrant eye appeal is undeniable. Strike is typical, with some softness in the left leg. WB-5, with repunching in the 8. The CAC population is 58 pieces in all grades, with eight coins at MS64 and five examples higher, all at MS65. This piece won't sell cheaply, but coins of this quality are rarely acquired at bargain prices. Housed in a PCGS Gen 1.2 (1986-1989) rattler holder with CAC approval.
Seated 50C 1839 1839
With Drapery
MS64 PCGS
3423500
WB-5
Choice $5000 With Drapery, Choice Original, Newtown Collection.. Thick, old-time toning covers both sides of this With Drapery example. The rims reveal deep olive and slate patina, while the centers exhibit light rose and grey color. Cartwheels are active on both sides and original Mint frost is readily apparent. WB-7, with arcing lines through the skirt. This is a remnant of the lathe lines imparted during the creation of die, which normally were smoothed out by hand. In this case, the engraver was a bit hasty. The left leg is softly impressed, which is common among earlier-date Seated halves. PCGS has certified 20 examples in MS64 with only five finer, all at MS65. Housed in a PCGS Gen 4.0 (1998-2002) holder.
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 1840(O) 1840-(O)
AU53 PCGS
45878902
WB-4
Original $3150 No Mintmark Reverse of 1839, Steely-Frosted Surfaces, Untoned, Newtown Collection. By now, Liberty Seated collectors recognize the importance of the 1840-O WB-4 die variety as struck by a mintmark less reverse die left over from the reeded edge Capped Bust era. This variety is straightforward to identify due to the larger reverse lettering and four different die cracks that exit to the rim. This Newtown release is well struck with die rust throughout the center motif. Fields present a steely texture resulting in reflective luster. The surfaces are untoned, probably from a past dip. During a 10x review, there are no marks worthy of mention. This variety has a limited population in AU grades and become quite rare in Mint State. Housed in PCGS Gen 6.1 (2020-2024) holder.
Seated 50C 1841O 1841-O
MS62
PCGS
33491102
WB-8
Choice $2750 Choice Original, Newtown Collection. Brilliant satiny luster radiates through the pale pewter-dove-silver tone that caresses the surfaces of both sides. A full strike is apparent with the reverse die beginning to shatter, with die cracks coming in from the rim at 3:30 through the right wing and from the rim at 6:30, passing between AL and piercing the eagle's left talon, through the body, and ending in the field in front of the beak. Close inspection does reveal some minor scuffs on the reverse above the eagle's head, but nothing that is out of the ordinary for the MS62 grade, and the eye appeal is very strong for the grade. Housed in PCGS Gen 6.0 (2015-2020) holder with CAC approval. Another fine release from the Newtown Collection that should garner immediate interest.
Seated 50C 1842 1842
Medium Date
AU58
PCGS
18478860
WB-14
R3
Gem HOLD
$1150
New November 29! Medium Repunched Date, Gem Original, Superb Eye Appeal, Accurately Graded, Sooner Collection. A gem original 1842 Philadelphia strike with medium date punch. Eye appeal is captivating with uniform deep rose/gold obverse coloring along with blues to the right of the date and between the rock and stars 1 and 2. Bright light viewing is where the fun really starts as the luster is bold and radiant. Strike is essentially complete with only stars 12 and 13 lacking center points. A Liberty Seated half that would please the selective advanced collector in the community. Housed in PCGS Gen 4.4 (2005-2011) holder with CAC approval. Ex. Seal Beach Collection.
Seated 50C 1842 1842
Small Date, Rev of 1842
AU50 PCGS
81050700
WB-7
R2
Original $625 New November 30! Small Date, Reverse of 1842, Lustrous Surfaces, Gold Rims, Reverse Rim Cud at 11:00, Sooner Collection. The highlight of this returning 1842 WB-7 Seated half dollar is a reverse cud above S(TAT)ES but fairly common according to Bill Bugert. Fields are steely with the associated reflectively under a bright light. A light grayish tone is framed by golden shades at the borders. A 10x inspection notes some wispy field hairlines consistent with the Original quality rating. This is a die variety play for those that enjoy assembling 19th century silver with major cracks and cuds. Housed in a PCGS 6.0 (2015-2020) holder with the label reading "Small Date, Rev of 1842".
Seated 50C 1843O 1843-O
VF30 NGC
3228846006

Choice $185 New November 19! Crusty Gray Patina, Accurately Graded, Port Matilda Collection. This Port Matilda Collection release offers thick crusty gray patina that is consistent on both sides. Surfaces are essentially unabraded for the time in circulation. The grading is accurate and spot on. A lovely 1843-O half dollar lot that would fit nicely into a mid-grade circulated set given the attractive pricing. Housed in newer NGC holder with edge view insert. Ex. Sooner Collection.
Seated 50C 1844 1844
AU58 NGC
1749021012
WB-13
Choice HOLD
$585
New December 3! Ideal for 1843 Cracked Reverse Die Study, Natural Coin Gray Patina, Choice Overall, Emerald Collection. Placing this 1844 WB-13 Seated half under a bright light brings about a stark transition from darker coin gray toning to a menagerie of orange-rose and light blue-gray. The reflectivity is strong from lightly mirrored fields. The overall strike is accurately impress with all motifs fully defined. This Emerald Collection lot is ideal for the popular pursuit of Bill Bugert's 1843 die variety set due to heavily cracked reverse dies. This WB-13 is easily attributed via bold die cracks through UNITED and ONE DOL. Overall a fully choice example with natural surfaces. Housed in NGC Gen 14 (2003-2004) holder.
Seated 50C 1844 1844
MS62 PCGS
33950126
WB-4
R3
Choice HOLD
$1230
Overlapping 8s in Denticle, Fully Struck, Fiery Orange-Gray Surfaces, Conservative Grading, Newton Collection.. This 1844 WB-4 is a noteworthy Newtown Collection duplicate and perfect Mint State specimen for the advanced collector. Strike is fully executed with all stars rounded along with deeply impressed hair curls. The reverse is also fully struck. Choice surfaces and luster appear to be superior for the certified MS62 grade level. In hand viewing, as seen in the GFRC images, results in gray-rose coloration. Under angled lighting, fiery natural orange-gray coloring is exposed throughout obverse and reverse. Blemishes are to a minimum with only two faint bag marks in the upper left reverse field that are old time and completely toned. This is an exceptional piece with the doubled misplaced 8 digits in the denticles directly below the space between 1(84)4 and a thick arcing line in the denticles above (UNIT)ED per the Bugert Register on Philadelphia die varieties. Housed in PCGS Gen 6.0 (2015-2020) holder.
Seated 50C 1844O 1844-O
EF45 PCGS
13255602
WB-11
Original $350 New December 3! Dirty Gray Patina, Steely-Foelds, Near-Choice, New Orleans Collection. Consignor Pricing Reduction. Steely reflective fields are readily apparent, when viewed under a bright light, for this 1844-O WB-11 Seated half. In-hand inspection indicates a thin dirty gray patina that is consistent on both sides. Strike is typical with weakness at the eagle claws and leg facing leg. Sime obverse field hairlines preclude a full Choice quality rating. The WB-11 reverse diagnostics are clear under a 10x. Housed in PCGS Gen 4.4 (2005-2011) holder.
Seated 50C 1844O 1844-O
Doubled Date
EF45 NGC
2562207004
FS-301
Original $4000 Popular Doubled Date, Original, Sunset Collection. The 1844-O Doubled Date is one of the most popular verities in the Seated half series, with a plainly doubled date repunched to the south. The coiner initially placed the date far too high within the exergue and was forced to reposition and try again. The blundered date is readily apparent, and there is no need for a 16x loupe to reveal some subtle detail. This piece exhibits silver-gray shading with burnt tan at the lower rims, in addition to an aqua splash at the base of Liberty. The residual luster is partially mirrored. Housed in a newer NGC holder with edge view insert. NGC has certified 21 pieces in all grades, with nine higher, all at the AU level.
Seated 50C 1846 1846
6/Horizontal 6
AU55
PCGS
20198692
WB-7
Gem $5750 6/Horizontal 6, Steely Fields, Light Gold, Gem Eye Appeal, Newtown Collection. The 1846 6 over horizontal 6 is a great "eyeball" die variety that is one of the most obvious in the Liberty Seated half dollar series. After punching the 184 digits with a three digit logotype, the mint engraver mistakenly punched the final 6 digit at a 90 degree angle. Realizing his mistake, he then punched the 6 digit in the correct position without an attempt to efface the former. Talk about having a bad day! This Newtown lot warrants a GFRC-Gem quality rating for its superb preservation, undisturbed steely reflective lust and complete strike. The last PCGS auction appearance dates back to October 2016 and is a dipped out example. CAC has approved 21 in all grades with six finer at the MS63/MS64 level with five figure premiums. The CAC price guide is $3,900 at the certified grade and increasing to $6,000 in MS60. Housed in PCGS Gen 6.1 (2020-2024) holder with CAC approval. The PCGS label captures the attribution as WB-7, RPD FS-301, 6/Horiz 6 with a Randy Wiley pedigree.
Seated 50C 1849 1849
MS62 NGC
3462103017
WB-1
Choice $1725 New November 29! 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
MS63 NGC
683876005
WB-12
Gem $2650 New December 1! 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 1849 1849
MS63 NGC
667206010
WB-13
Choice $2000 Repunched 184, Brilliant Frosty Luster, Choice Original, Sunset Collection. Protected areas host russet patina while the high points retain original silver color, all surrounded by more deeply shaded rims. Original Mint bloom is frosty and exhibits luster consistent with the technical grade. WB-13, with a downward sloping date and a tine to the left of the serif of 1. The strike is typical, with soft stars and weakness beneath the reverse shield. Some surface chatter is evident in the right obverse field. Housed in an NGC Gen 9 (2001-2003) holder. NGC has certified 12 pieces higher, all in MS64 and MS65.
Seated 50C 1849O 1849-O
AU50 NGC
3817185007
WB-1
Original $675 Difficult Date, Rose-Gray Patina, Original Surfaces, Residual Steely Luster, Sooner Collection. 1849 New Orleans strikes always command respect when found. The date is scarce in AU and rare in Mint State. It appears that the large 2.3 million mintage went into circulation and remained there. Some may have become part of the silver arbitrage between 1850 and 1852. All New Orleans date of that period are much scarcer than their mintage would suggest due to export and melting for their silver bullion. This former Sooner Collection example returns to the price list for a second appearance. Fields have a steely texture and still retain luster during bright light review. Overall toning is a steely rose-gray with darker peripheral coloring that includes light blues and gold. Strike is typical with a few marks in the upper left reverse field. Housed in new large font NGC holder.
Seated 50C 1849O 1849-O
MS61 PCGS
83977936
WB-10
Choice HOLD
$1475
Challenging In Mint State, Rusted Obverse Die, Choice Original, Newtown Collection. A crusty original Mint State example of the challenging 1849 New Orleans date that is conservatively graded. Advanced collectors of the Liberty Seated half dollar series should pay special attention to this offering. A no question uncirculated example with natural surfaces and reflective golden luster under a bright light. The obverse is rusted consistent with the WB-10 variety diagnostics. Die rust is seen within upper and lower gown folds and within the spaces between vertical shield lines. Strike is crisply executed with bold head details and hair curls while all stars have connected center points. Toning is thick and crusty with ebony coloring at the date and within the lower right field area. There are no blemishes worthy of mention. Reverse toning is more transparent than on the obverse. Adding a light source exposes reflection gold-rose fields that nicely contrast with the bold eagle. Housed in PCGS Gen 6.0 (2015-2020) holder. A lovely duplicate from the Newtown Collection.
Seated 50C 1850 1850
MS64 PCGS
33841350
WB-2
Choice $5500 Rare Philadelphia Date, Frosty Luster, Choice Original, Sunset Collection. Brilliant, frosty luster reveals a pleasing mélange of color on both sides, with scattered shades of olive and blue-green splashed atop an underlying palette of silver-rose. The reverse shading is deeper, with aqua rims surrounding more intense gray hue throughout. Scattered marks are more consistent with the MS63 grade, with the 64 likely awarded by PCGS for overall eye appeal. This is a much better date among Philadelphia Seated halves, with 227,000 pieces coined. Stars are sharply struck, while the eagle’s claws to the left blend together. WB-2, with a strong die clash in the reverse shield, and the last digit in the date repunched. The PCGS population is seven examples in MS64, with three pieces higher in all grades combined. This is a most attractive example of a challenging issue, and sure to please the new owner. Housed in a PCGS Gen 6.0 holder.
Seated 50C 1850O 1850-O
MS62 NGC
1733120002
WB-6
Choice $1650 New December 1! 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 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 1855/54 1855/54
With Arrows
MS62 NGC
1727628003

Original $3250 New December 1! 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.