Liberty Seated Dollars, minted from 1840 to 1873, are challenging to collect and fascinating to study. It has not been studied as thoroughly as other series of Liberty Seated coins and much misformation abounds. My own observations have been gleaned from an extensive study and search for varieties while putting together several "complete" sets of Seated dollars for my clients over the past twenty some years.

Despite the obvious difficulties in deciphering the population reports due to multiple resubmissions, the PCGS and NGC population reports provide a solid basis for the study of relative rarities. Although nothing can replace the many years of specialized experience of a knowledgeable dealer or a serious collector, the population reports are certainly one of the key tools in considering the relative rarities of many coins. For that purpose, I am utilizing the PCGS and NGC population reports that were available to me as of January 31, 2005.

Each of the 45 collectible dates in the Liberty Seated Dollar series is given a rarity ranking in mint state based upon the number of mint state specimens graded by PCGS and NGC. Ties were broken based upon the total number of specimens graded. The comments listed in the date by date analysis are meant to refer only to business strike specimens unless otherwise noted. The population figures by date do not include proof coins except for the 1858 dollar. As a proof only issue, an example of this date is usually included in a set of Seated dollars.

1840:

Let me start by saying that all mint state Liberty Seated Dollars are rare and in most instances very rare in grades of MS-63 and higher. This date is no exception. There is also added collector demand as the first year of issue. Specimens come well struck and semi-prooflike when available. Rarity Rank: 21.

1841:

Another very underrated date in mint state. It usually comes well struck. This date also comes with a variety that shows repunching on the date at the 18. Note: Of the early proofs, the 1841 is the rarest with only three known and all are "Restrikes." Some of the so-called "Proofs" have turned out to be cleaned proof-like specimens. Rarity Rank: 24.

1842:

Once considered to be common in mint state. However, original choice specimens are very difficult to locate and gems are virtually nonexistent. There is an obviously repunched date variety where the 842 is clearly repunched. This issue usually comes with an excellent strike. Rarity Rank: 39.

1843:

This issue usually comes softly struck on the obverse stars but with lustrous surfaces. All regular issues are observed with a repunched "43" in the date. Very underrated. Rarity Rank: 32.

1844:

Very rare in mint state and underrated. This date comes fully prooflike and many specimens have been sold as "Proofs" in the past. All specimens have the quadruple obverse stripes in the shield, actually a doubled die obverse. The rare proofs come with the regular obverse. Rarity Rank: 18.

1845:

This date is now recognized as being very rare in mint state. However, many nice AU coins still pass for mint state. This date generally comes well struck and semi-prooflike. All proofs have obviously repunched date. Rarity Rank: 7.

1846:

This date is comparable to the 1842 in availability overall. However, it is rarer in mint state. Some softness in strike observed in the obverse stars. Rarity Rank: 35.

1846-O:

Another major rarity in mint state. Usually comes well struck. Rarity Rank: 13.

1847:

This is an underrated issue in mint state. Not as common as once thought in mint state. It usually comes well struck. Rarity Rank: 31.

1848:

Traditionally considered a very rare date and justifiably so. Some softness in strike usually seen on the obverse stars. Rarity Rank: 12.

1849:

Underrated and difficult to locate with nice eye appeal. It usually comes with a soft strike on the obverse stars and on the eagle’s leg on the reverse. Rarity Rank: 33.

1850:

A very low mintage date and popular as such. However, this date is still very rare in mint state. Many come sharply stuck and fully prooflike. Rarity raking in mint state: 22.

1850-O:

A super rarity in mint state. Apparently this issue was not saved. Some weakness in strike is usually seen on the obverse. Rarity Rank: 9.

1851:

A recognized rarity in all grades. This is the rarest date to locate in grades at or below AU. The population report is not very helpful due to many resubmissions. A few specimens are well struck but most have some weakness in strike. All proofs of this date are Restrikes although the population reports indicate incorrectly a few "Originals." All Originals have the high date. Rarity Rank: 10.

1852:

Next to the fabled 1870-S, this date is the rarest overall followed closely by the 1851. In mint state, the 1852 is a recognized rarity. Many are observed with weak obverse stars on the left. Rarity ranking in mint state: 4.

1853:

Previously considered "common" but now being recognized as a tough date to locate in mint state. Comes with an average strike. It should be noted that the weight of the silver dollars was not reduced in 1853 making them worth slightly more than face value. As a result, many Seated Dollars were melted and the reported mintages are practically useless in determining rarity. Rarity Rank: 34.

1854:

Extremely rare overall as a date. There are at least two fabulous gems of this date. Average strike with some minor weakness in Miss Liberty’s head and in the date. The proofs have the repunched date. Rarity Rank: 20.

1855:

Another extremely rare date. Although slightly more available than the 1854 date in circulated grades, it is much rarer in mint state. This date usually comes with some strike weakness. Rarity Rank: 14.

1856:

Extremely underrated in mint state. Although there are a few notable exceptions, most come very weakly struck with a flat head and eagle’s leg. All mint state specimens have a die scratch between the loop and the tail of the 6 which may have been confused as an "overdate." The reported 1856/4 overdate has not been seen. Rarity Rank: 11.

1857:

This date is notorious for being weakly struck. I have seen only two specimens with a decent strike in the past twenty years. However, it usually comes with wonderful prooflike surfaces. Rarity Rank: 29.

1858:

A proof only issue included here since it is usually collected as part of the Seated Dollar series. Once considered a rarity, it is relatively overrated. However, this date is becoming harder to find nice. Rarity Rank: 40.

1859:

This is a very underrated date and very rare in mint state. Usually comes satiny with a good strike. Rarity Rank: 23.

1859-O:

Although one of two most common dates in the series, this date is especially difficult to find without baggy surfaces. Extremely underrated in MS-63 and higher. Usually can be found with a good strike. Rarity Rank: 44.

1859-S:

Another recognized major rarity. This is the only San Francisco mint No Motto Seated dollar. Extremely rare in mint state. The variety with the repunched "18" is actually much more available than the perfect date despite many assertions to the contrary. Rarity Rank: 17.

1860:

Relatively available but still very difficult to locate in mint state. Usually comes with a good strike. Rarity Rank: 38.

1860-O:

The most "common" Seated dollar. Despite the persistent rumors that several mint state bags of these coins were released by the Treasury, it is unlikely that more than 1,000 mint state specimens exist today. The vast majority of these pieces are in scuffy, baggy condition. Several years ago, a small hoard was discovered inside a chimney of a New Orleans’ house and included most of the gems now graded as MS-65 or MS-66! Regardless, in MS-63 or better, this date is still difficult to find nice. This date comes with varying strike qualities. Numerous varieties exist. Rarity Rank: 45.

1861:

The first of the Civil War issues. Seated dollars issued from 1861 to 1865 are all rare and they usually come with some die striations in the fields. Usually comes very well struck. Rarity Rank: 30.

1862:

Another rare issue. Usually seen with a good strike but with heavy die striations in the field. Rarity Rank: 36.

1863:

A very rare date in mint state. Usually well struck with die striations in the field. Rarity Rank: 28.

1864:

This date is the rarest of the Civil War issues in mint state and all observed specimens have the 18 slightly repunched in the date. Tough to find without excessive die striations. Rarity Rank: 15.

1865:

Very rare and difficult to locate. This date comes with a soft strike and with die striations in the field. Rarity ranking in mint sate: 19.

1866:

The first of the With Motto dollars and another tough date to find. Most specimens have been observed with a repunched 66 in the date. This date is also difficult to find well struck. Rarity Rank: 27.

1867:

Underrated and difficult to locate. All mint state specimens have the normal date over small date repunching. This date comes with a great strike and prooflike surfaces. In fact, many mint state proof-like specimens were originally mistaken for proofs. No proofs with the repunched date have been verified. Rarity Rank: 25.

1868:

A recognized rarity in mint state. This date comes prooflike and well struck. Very rare in MS-63 or better. Rarity Rank: 16.

1869:

Underrated and rare in mint state. Occasionally seen prooflike with an average strike. Rarity Rank: 26.

1870:

This is a slightly better date in the series. There is also a rare variety with the 870 in the date repunched. Usually comes with some weakness in strike. Rarity Rank: 37.

1870-CC:

The first of the Carson City issues. This issue is very rare in mint state. A few specimens are fully prooflike but most come with an average strike with some weakness in "Liberty." Rarity Rank: 8.

1870-S:

A legendary rarity. Only 11 are known to exist in all grades, the finest of these being the uncirculated Stack’s specimen. Rarity Rank: 1.

1871:

The most common With Motto dollar. There are at least three obverse varieties with the 71 in the date together, the 71 apart and the entire date obviously repunched. It should also be noted that With Motto dollars come with doubled die reverses. Usually observed with some weakness in the obverse stars. Rarity Rank: 43.

1871-CC:

One of the rarest issues in mint state. This is a recognized rarity and possible no more than half a dozen exist in mint state. Relative to the 1873-CC Dollar, this issue is undervalued. Rarity Rank: 2.

1872:

Another common date although somewhat rarer than the 1871 in mint state. There is a blundered date variety with a "2" punched twice into the rock. This date also comes with a doubled die reverse. Usually seen well struck. Rarity Rank: 42.

1872-CC:

Extremely rare in mint state. Very underrated in all grades. Usually seen prooflike with a good strike. Rarity Rank: 6.

1872-S:

This date is a recognized rarity in mint state. A hoarded date due to its low mintage, it is usually seen in grades AU and below and harshly cleaned. Comes well struck and somewhat prooflike. Rarity Rank: 5.

1873:

An underrated "common" With Motto Dollar. This date sometimes comes weakly struck on the obverse stars. This date also comes with a doubled die reverse. Rarity Rank: 41.

1873-CC:

In mint state, this date, along with the 1871-CC, is the rarest collectible Seated Dollar. Comes prooflike with an average strike. Rarity Rank: 3.

1873-S:

Noncollectible. Unknown in any collection! Although 700 were allegedly minted, none are known to exist today. The usual account states that all were melted in 1873. Regardless, there exists documentation that supports the possibility that at least one standard dollar dated 1873-S was struck and sent to Philadelphia for assay. Hopefully, it will resurface to the collecting community soon. Good luck!