• 1853 Liberty Seated Half Dollar Values

Greysheet & Red Book® PRICE GUIDE

coin-icon-tr
Values / U.S. Coins / Half Dollars / Liberty Seated Half Dollars (1839–1891) / 1853 Liberty Seated Half Dollars

The Greysheet Catalog (GSID) of the Liberty Seated Half Dollars (1839–1891) series of Half Dollars in the U.S. Coins contains 15 distinct entries with CPG® values between $36.00 and $780,000.00. Liberty Seated half dollars were designed by Christian Gobrecht and struck from 1839 through 1891. The

The Greysheet Catalog (GSID) of the Liberty Seated Half Dollars (1839–1891) series of Half Dollars in the U.S. Coins contains 15 distinct entries with CPG® values between $36.00 and $780,000.00.

Liberty Seated half dollars were designed by Christian Gobrecht and struck from 1839 through 1891. The Liberty Seated motif was one of the longest-running designs in United States history and was seen on several silver coins. However, the design was modified over the course of the decades to accommodate changes to the coin's physical weight and also to incorporate various elements that were added to or removed from the obverse and reverse.

The major sub-varieties in the Liberty Seated half dollar series are:

Variety 1: No Motto Above Eagle (1839-1853)

Variety 2: Arrows at Date, Rays Around Eagle (1853)

Variety 3: Arrows at Date, No Rays (1854-1855)

Variety 1 resumed: with Weight Standard of Variety 2, 12.44 Grams (1856-1866)

Variety 4: Motto Above Eagle (1866-1873)

Variety 5: Arrows at Date (1873-1874)

Variety 4 resumed: With Weight Standard of Variety 5, 12.50 Grams (1875-1891)

Most Liberty Seated half dollars are readily available in the circulated grades, but several issues are considerably scarce, and the Variety 1 1853-O is among the rarest of all with just four known examples and a six-figure minimum price tag. The 1878-S also stands out as an exceedingly rare piece, with an original mintage of 12,000 and just 50 estimated to exist. Other scarce issues include the 1844-O doubled date, 1847 7 Over 6, 1870-CC, 1873 Open 3, 1874-CC, and 1878-CC. Meanwhile, virtually all Liberty Seated half dollars are conditionally scarce in the gem Mint State grades.

See More See Less

Available on Greysheet Marketplace

View All
1884 50c MS

Auction Ends: 4/28/2026

1880 50c MS

Auction Ends: 5/1/2026

1861-S 50c MS

Auction Ends: 4/28/2026

Dealer Directory

View All Dealers
Cabrella
FEATURED

Greysheet News

View All News
From Stellas to Standouts: Heritage's Star-Studded CSNS U.S. Coins Auction Features Elite Rarities
From Stellas to Standouts: Heritage's Star-Studded CSNS U.S. Coins Auction Features Elite Rarities
4/18/2026

All four gold stellas, 1933 Indian eagle and featured collections among highlights at April 29-May 2 event.

Red Book Podcast with John Feigenbaum and Jeff Garrett [Video]
Red Book Podcast with John Feigenbaum and Jeff Garrett [Video]
4/17/2026

You don't want to miss this conversation about Mega Red X & the 2027 Red Book

Stack's Bowers Galleries Shatters Records in Spring 2026 Showcase Auction
Stack's Bowers Galleries Shatters Records in Spring 2026 Showcase Auction
4/16/2026

Auction records were smashed during an incredible week of auctions hosted March 9-17, 2026 by preeminent rare coin auction firm, Stack's Bowers Galleries.

Map icon

DAVID LAWRENCE RARE COINS