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1849
| Weight | 1.34 g |
| Diameter | 15.5 mm |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Strike | Circulation strike |
| Mintage | 1,309,000 Combined mintage for all 1849 Philadelphia varieties |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Melt value | — |
| Designer | Christian Gobrecht |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-1072 |
Collection
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Other recorded varieties for 1849:
- 1849 9 Over 6 · 9 Over 6
- 1849 9 Over Widely Placed 6 · 9 Over Widely Placed 6
External references
Philadelphia struck 1,309,000 half dimes in 1849 as the California Gold Rush reached peak intensity. Tens of thousands of Americans were heading west to seek their fortunes, and the eastern economy was beginning to feel the effects of the coming flood of California gold. The half dime circulated through this transformational period as the standard small silver coinage, worth enough to buy small retail goods in an economy where fifty cents still bought a meal.
The 1849 is a common date. Die varieties exist, including two notable overdate varieties (1849/6 and 1849/Widely Placed 6) that are collected separately. The standard 1849 is available in circulated and Uncirculated grades without significant difficulty. Strike quality varies; well-struck examples with full central detail are worth seeking out.
Reference data only — not an appraisal.
| Grade | Description | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | $26 | $30 |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | $29 | $34 |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | $34 | $39 |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | $49 | $56 |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | $81 | $94 |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | $143 | $165 |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | $215 | $250 |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | $790 | $840 |
How much is a 1849 Seated Liberty Half Dime worth?
How many 1849 Seated Liberty Half Dimes were minted?
What is a 1849 Seated Liberty Half Dime made of?
What is the melt value of a 1849 Seated Liberty Half Dime?
Is the 1849 Seated Liberty Half Dime a key date?
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