1840 Proof Seated Liberty Half Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

Description

The 1840 Proof Seated Liberty Half Dollar is a proof half dollar struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Seated Liberty Half Dollars 1839-1891 series. How many 1840 proofs were struck is not known; the Mint did not record proof mintages before 1858. The obverse features Liberty seated on a rock, holding a pole surmounted by a Phrygian liberty cap in her left hand and a shield inscribed LIBERTY in her right and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons. Minted during the age of Jacksonian democracy and the rise of the common man, as new branch mints opened in Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans. As a proof issue, this coin was struck multiple times on specially prepared polished planchets using polished dies, producing mirror-like fields and frosted design elements prized by collectors. Struck at the original U.S. Mint facility, in continuous operation since 1792. Auction record: $109,250 PR65 08-09-2007 Heritage Auctions. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 13.36 grams, 30.6 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #6384.