During the course of the broader Seated Liberty Half Dollar series from 1839 to 1891, there were several minor design changes, as well as a modification to the weight of the coins. While some of the changes were more significant than others, they result in a number of different subtypes for collectors to pursue.
The first design change occurred in the very first year of issue. As with other denominations that had adopted the Seated Liberty motif, some minor design modifications were still being made after the coins were introduced. For the half dollar, this was mostly limited to the addition of drapery to Liberty’s dress near her elbow. This would never be removed again and became an integral part of the design. The 1839 Seated Liberty Half Dollar can be found with “no drapery from elbow” or with “drapery from elbow”.
A more prominent design change occurred in 1853 and was only struck during that year. The Mint Act of February 21, 1853 lowered the weight and silver content of virtually all silver coins in an attempt to prevent massive melting due to rising silver prices.
To denote the coins struck with the new specifications, two arrows were placed alongside the date on the obverse and rays were added around the eagle on the reverse. The rays were removed the next year, in 1854, creating a one-year type coin for the previous year. In 1854 and 1855 the arrows remained on the obverse, but were removed before 1856, when the old design resumed, now with the new weight.
The next major change took place for the reverse design in 1866, only a year after the end of the Civil War. The motto “In God We Trust” was placed on a scroll above the eagle’s head. Other denominations saw this addition as well. Eventually, legislation would require the placement of this motto on every coin produced by the United States Mint. The broader series can be divided into the issues with “no motto above eagle” (1839-1853) and with “motto above eagle” (1854-1891).
In 1873, arrows once again appeared next to the date on the obverse. This time, indicating a slight increase in weight. The arrows once again were short-lived, and in 1875 the earlier design resumed and would remain in use until the series ended in 1891.
The relatively high number of design changes during the Seated Liberty Half Dollar series have created many rare and interesting varieties. For example, the 1853-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar without arrows and rays was created when coin dies were shipped to the New Orleans Mint before the new coinage law had passed. A limited number of coins were struck with the old design, creating a true rarity. Other varieties include a number of doubled dies, overdates, and differences in size of the lettering. These are all very collectible if mentioned in the Red Book, while a number of specialists study and collect the minor varieties.
