1842 (O) Seated Liberty Half Dollar - Small Date, Rev. of 1839
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$43,125 MS62 01-01-2009 Heritage Auctions
Description
The 1842 (O) Seated Liberty Half Dollar - Small Date, Rev. of 1839 is a half dollar produced at the New Orleans Mint as part of the Seated Liberty Half Dollars 1839-1891 series. The U.S. Mint produced 203,000 examples, making this the lowest mintage among 5 mint variants, representing only 3% of total production. 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, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. 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. Struck at the New Orleans Mint, which operated from 1838 to 1909 and produced coins prized for their historical Southern provenance. Estimated market value ranges from $1.3K to $63K depending on grade and condition. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 13.36 grams, 30 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #6238.
External References
Error Varieties
No listings found
This category doesn't have any child listings yet.