1844 Seated Liberty Half Dollar

About This Coin

The 1844 Seated Liberty Half Dollar is a United States half dollar from the Seated Liberty Half Dollars 1839-1891 series — an early issue, 6th of 53 years in the series. In 1844, coins were struck at the New Orleans and Philadelphia Mints with a combined mintage of 5.8 million. This ranks 44th of 53 years by total mintage, above the series median of 2.1 million. 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 in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 13.36 grams, 30 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Across its variants, estimated values range from $85 to $11K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $35K in MS64 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht.