Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issue Dates: 1837 (Philadelphia) and 1838-0 (New Orleans)
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Diameter: 15.5 mm
Weight: 1.33 grams (20.62 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 1,475,000
Proof Mintage: Fewer than 50

The Liberty Seated half dimes of 1837 and 1838, featuring no stars on the obverse, represent a distinct and visually elegant subtype within ... Read More

Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issue Dates: 1837 (Philadelphia) and 1838-0 (New Orleans)
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Diameter: 15.5 mm
Weight: 1.33 grams (20.62 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 1,475,000
Proof Mintage: Fewer than 50

The Liberty Seated half dimes of 1837 and 1838, featuring no stars on the obverse, represent a distinct and visually elegant subtype within the series designed by Christian Gobrecht. Issued only in these two years, this short-lived design is prized for its simplicity and artistic clarity, setting it apart from later modifications.

The obverse features Liberty seated on a rock, holding a pole topped with a liberty cap in her left hand and resting her right hand on a shield inscribed LIBERTY. The absence of stars contributes to a clean, cameo-like appearance that many collectors consider more attractive than the later star-enclosed format. The reverse depicts an open agricultural wreath tied with a ribbon, surrounding the denomination HALF DIME, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the border.

The type was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1837 and the New Orleans Mint in 1838, with mintage figures of 1,405,000 and 70,000, respectively. The 1837 issue is relatively accessible in all circulated grades and is commonly chosen by type collectors. Thanks to contemporary preservation, Uncirculated examples of the 1837 half dime are encountered with some frequency, although high-end specimens have become increasingly sought after.

By contrast, the 1838-O is notably scarcer. As the first half dime struck at the New Orleans Mint, its low mintage and modest contemporary saving make it far rarer, particularly in higher grades. Choice AU and Mint State examples are exceptionally rare, with fewer than five true Uncirculated specimens confirmed. The same rarity profile applies to the 1838-O No Stars dime, further highlighting the significance of this transitional year for early Southern coinage.

These “No Stars” issues are unique in U.S. silver circulation coinage and were not repeated on the quarter or half dollar denominations. Their refined aesthetic, historical relevance, and relative scarcity—especially the 1838-O—make them essential for advanced type collectors and Liberty Seated specialists alike.

Today, demand for high-grade examples remains strong, and even circulated pieces command healthy premiums due to their status as a one-year subtype and early Liberty Seated design. For the discerning collector, these coins offer a compelling blend of rarity, artistry, and early minting history.