View All Seated Liberty Half Dollars 1839-1891

1853 Seated Liberty Half Dollar

Base

About This Coin

The 1853 Seated Liberty Half Dollar is a United States half dollar from the Seated Liberty Half Dollars 1839-1891 series. In 1853, coins were struck at the Philadelphia and New Orleans Mints with a combined mintage of 4.9 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. Arrows at date and rays on reverse mark the weight reduction. The 1853-O "No Arrows" is extremely rare with only four known. Collectors have identified one known die variety for this date (shattered die). Across its variants, estimated values range from $83 to $6.9K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $517K in VF35 grade at Stack's Bowers. Designed by Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht.

Value Estimates

$83 - $6,852

Values as of May 2026 across all of this coin's strike types, from published price guides and, in some cases, recorded auction sales. For most coins the range runs from a well-worn example (around G-4) to an uncirculated one, but individual coins can sell for more or less depending on grade, eye appeal and demand. Compare recent sales of similar coins for a closer estimate.

Specifications

Year

1853

Denomination

Half Dollar

Series

Seated Liberty Half Dollars 1839-1891

Designer

Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Strike Types & Varieties(5)

Strike TypeVerified