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1840 No Drapery
| Weight | 1.34 g |
| Diameter | 15.5 mm |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Strike | Circulation strike |
| Mintage | 1,344,085 Combined mintage for all 1840 Philadelphia varieties |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Melt value | — |
| Designer | Christian Gobrecht |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-1047 |
Collection
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Other recorded varieties for 1840:
- 1840 Drapery · Drapery
External references
The 1840 No Drapery half dime is the final issue of the No Drapery Stars Obverse subtype. Partway through 1840, Mint Chief Engraver Christian Gobrecht modified the Seated Liberty design to add drapery beneath Liberty's left elbow, softening the figure's pose and giving her a slightly more demure appearance. Coins struck before the modification lack the drapery; coins struck after have it. The 1840 is therefore a transition year, with both No Drapery and Drapery versions produced.
The change was driven by aesthetic considerations. Gobrecht's original Seated Liberty figure had been criticized for appearing too austere or unfinished, and adding drapery was part of a broader effort to refine the design across all the silver denominations that carried it. The half dime received the modification at roughly the same time as the dime and the other Seated Liberty denominations, making 1840 a transition year across the entire Seated Liberty silver coinage.
The 1840 No Drapery is the terminal No Drapery issue, and collectors who need the subtype for a type set can choose the 1840, 1839, or one of the 1838 varieties. The 1840 has additional significance as the direct predecessor of the Drapery version, and the two side by side show the design change clearly.
Reference data only — not an appraisal.
| Grade | Description | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | $22 | $25 |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | $26 | $30 |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | $29 | $34 |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | $38 | $44 |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | $81 | $94 |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | $148 | $171 |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | $225 | $260 |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | $475 | $500 |
How much is a 1840 No Drapery Seated Liberty Half Dime worth?
How many 1840 No Drapery Seated Liberty Half Dimes were minted?
What is a 1840 No Drapery Seated Liberty Half Dime made of?
What is the melt value of a 1840 No Drapery Seated Liberty Half Dime?
Is the 1840 No Drapery Seated Liberty Half Dime a key date?
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