1858 Seated Liberty Silver Dollar

1858 Liberty Seated dollars are exceedingly scarce 19th-century type silver coins that are widely collected by individuals who enjoy old United States coinage. While Liberty Seated silver dollars contain nearly a full ounce of silver, they are far more important as numismatic coins than bullion investments due to their low mintage and historic significance.

Seated Liberty silver dollars were in production from 1840 through 1873 and were struck at the Philadelphia, New Orleans, Carson City, and San Francisco Mints. In 1858, silver dollars were minted only in Philadelphia, which struck just 4,000 pieces that year.

Business strikes are worth from $5,000 in Very Good-8 to more than $9,000 in About Uncirculated grades; uncirculated pieces are extremely rare. Proof coins are worth about $10,000 and up. Liberty Seated silver dollars are difficult to find in original, undamaged condition, and coins in their original, unaltered condition are worth significant premiums over those that exhibit signs of cleaning, damage, or holes.

Liberty Seated silver dollars were designed by United States Mint Chief Engraver Christian Gobrecht and enjoyed widespread circulation during the first several years of their production. However, as silver bullion prices rose in the late 1850s, Liberty Seated dollars were most often used in foreign trade. 1858 Liberty Seated dollars consist of composition made from 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper, weigh 26.73 grams, and contain 0.77344 ounces of pure silver. Liberty Seated dollars measure 38.1 millimeters in diameter, which is the standard width of all large-size U.S. silver dollars made since the 1840s, including the ever-popular Morgan and Peace silver dollars.