Rare Coins Daily Rare coin guides and inquiries

SEATED LIBERTY DOLLAR

1840–1873
NO MOTTO • WITH MOTTO • PROOFS • CARSON CITY • 1870-S RARITY NOTE
SORTING LEGEND
P1Pull Immediately / Authenticate
P2Check Carefully / Better Date
P3Common / Condition Pull
CCCarson City
MOTTOWith Motto
PRProof
Ag90% silver
AUTHAuthenticate
ESSENTIAL TOOLS
Microscope
or 10x loupe
0.01g
Scale
Good
Lighting
Reference
Guide
1P1 MONEY COINS
Date / IssuePri.What To Check
1851P1Low-mintage key
1852P1Low-mintage key
1858 ProofP1Proof-only issue
1870-SP1Legendary rarity; fewer than 10 known
1871-CCP1Carson City key
1873-CCP1Final-year CC issue

1851

1851 placeholder

Low-mintage key

1852

1852 placeholder

Low-mintage key

1858 Proof

1858 Proof placeholder

Proof-only issue

1870-S

1870-S placeholder

Legendary rarity; fewer than 10 known

2TYPE GUIDE
Type / EraYearsDiagnostic
No Motto1840–1865No IN GOD WE TRUST reverse banner
With Motto1866–1873IN GOD WE TRUST above eagle
Carson City1870–1873CC mintmark on reverse
ProofsAll yearsProofs important for low-mintage dates
SEATED LIBERTY DOLLAR obverse placeholderOBVERSE
SEATED LIBERTY DOLLAR reverse placeholderREVERSE
Image note: Internet-hosted image placeholders are included. Replace with licensed/local images in production.
3KEY DATE CHART
Date / GroupPri.Notes
1851P1Key low mintage
1852P1Key low mintage
1858 ProofP1Proof-only
1870-SP1Extreme rarity
1871-CCP1CC key
1873-CCP1CC key
Sorting tip: Identify type first, then check date, mintmark/edge, surface quality, and variety diagnostics.
4STRIKE & CONDITION DIAGNOSTICS
FeaturePull If / Check
MottoNo Motto vs With Motto reverse
MintmarkCC on reverse below eagle
SurfacesOriginal luster, avoid cleaning
StrikeLiberty shield and eagle breast
ProofMirrored fields and squared rims
Condition rule: Original surfaces and problem-free coins usually beat cleaned or damaged examples, even on better dates.
5VARIETIES & ERROR COINS
Variety / ErrorPri.What To Look For
1870-SP1Legendary rarity
CC mintmark dollarsP1Always pull
Proof-only/low-mintage issuesP1Authenticate
No Motto/With MottoP2Type distinction
Major die cracks/errorsP2Specialist interest
variety placeholderVARIETY CHECK
reverse diagnostic placeholderREVERSE / EDGE
6QUICK SORT CHECKLIST

CHECK FIRST

  1. 1851
  2. 1852
  3. 1858 Proof
  4. 1870-S
  5. 1871-CC
  6. 1872-CC
  7. 1873-CC
  8. With Motto change
  9. Proof surfaces
  10. Authenticate keys
Fast workflow: type → date → mintmark/edge → weight/specs → variety → condition → authenticate P1 finds.
Authenticate: P1 rarities, famous varieties, proofs, and expensive high-grade pieces before sale.
SORT SMART. VERIFY MAJOR FINDS. NEVER CLEAN COLLECTIBLE COINS.
Primary source: https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/dollars/seated-liberty-dollar-1840-1873/742
Notice Updated