1850 Proof Seated Liberty Half Dime

Coin Details

Auction Record

$57,500 PR65 01-01-2008 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1850 Proof Seated Liberty Half Dime is a proof dime struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Seated Liberty Half Dimes 1837-1873 series. With a mintage of 10, this is an extremely rare issue — the lowest mintage among 3 mint variants, representing only less than 1% 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 an agricultural wreath enclosing the denomination. Struck during the California Gold Rush era, when vast quantities of western gold transformed the American economy and led to new denominations. 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: $57,500 PR65 01-01-2008 Heritage Auctions. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 1.34 grams, 15.9 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #4426.