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1857
| Weight | 1.24 g |
| Diameter | 15.5 mm |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Strike | Circulation strike |
| Mintage | 7,280,000 |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Melt value | — |
| Designer | Christian Gobrecht |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-1098 |
Collection
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No additional varieties recorded for this strike.
External references
Philadelphia struck 7,280,000 half dimes in 1857, the highest single-year Philadelphia output of the Seated Liberty series to that point. The Coinage Act of 1857 ended the large cent and half cent and eliminated foreign coins' legal tender status in the United States. The half dime was not directly affected by the legislation, but it operated in a rapidly modernizing monetary system that was removing older coinage and standardizing around the federal Mint's production.
The 1857 is one of the most common Seated Liberty half dimes. Circulated examples are plentiful, Uncirculated coins are available in quantity, and the year is often chosen by type collectors who want an affordable Stars Obverse With Drapery representative. The Panic of 1857 struck in August, triggering a severe economic depression that would affect American commerce for the next several years.
Reference data only — not an appraisal.
| Grade | Description | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | $21 | $24 |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | $26 | $30 |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | $29 | $34 |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | $34 | $39 |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | $49 | $56 |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | $95 | $110 |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | $143 | $165 |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | $305 | $320 |
How much is a 1857 Seated Liberty Half Dime worth?
How many 1857 Seated Liberty Half Dimes were minted?
What is a 1857 Seated Liberty Half Dime made of?
What is the melt value of a 1857 Seated Liberty Half Dime?
Is the 1857 Seated Liberty Half Dime a key date?
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