How to Identify the Seated Liberty Dollar

What It Is

The Seated Liberty dollar was struck from 1840 to 1873, part of a broader Seated Liberty design family used across most U.S. silver denominations in the mid-1800s. It was eventually replaced by the Trade dollar for export use and by the Morgan dollar for general circulation.

Obverse (Front)

Liberty sits on a rock, holding a liberty pole topped with a cap in her left hand and a shield inscribed "LIBERTY" in her right, steadying it. Thirteen stars surround her (added starting in 1840), and the date appears at the bottom.

Reverse (Back)

An eagle with wings spread stands atop a bundle of arrows and an olive branch, encircled by "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the denomination is understood as "ONE DOLLAR" appearing on later Seated coinage designs; on the dollar specifically, the eagle reverse carries the national title arcing above.

Size, Weight, Metal, and Edge

The coin is 90% silver, 10% copper, 38.1 mm in diameter, weighs about 26.73 grams, and has a reeded edge.

Mint Marks

The mint mark, when present, appears on the reverse below the eagle, near the bottom rim: "O" for New Orleans, "S" for San Francisco, or no letter for Philadelphia.

Telling It Apart from Similar Coins

Because of its size and seated design, this coin is sometimes confused with other Seated Liberty denominations (half dollar, quarter) that share the same motif but are smaller — comparing diameter (38.1 mm for the dollar versus smaller sizes for other denominations) and denomination wording resolves this. It is also distinct from the later Trade dollar, which added "420 GRAINS, 900 FINE" wording on the reverse and a different eagle posture, and from the Morgan dollar, which has a different Liberty head-only obverse.

Judging Condition at a Glance

Wear shows first on Liberty's knees, breast, and the head, and on the reverse at the eagle's head and wing tops. A bold, complete set of stars and readable date rim help identify a higher-grade, less-worn example.

Authenticity Red Flags

Scarcer dates and mint combinations, along with certain proof issues, are the ones most often targeted for counterfeiting or alteration. Look for mint marks that appear added rather than naturally struck, dates with retooled digits, and overall surfaces that look artificially aged or don't match the expected luster and toning patterns of genuine 19th-century silver.