The first major design change to the Liberty Seated Half Dime series occurred in 1838, when 13 stars were added around Miss Liberty on the obverse, following the directive of Mint Director Robert Maskell Patterson. This ... Read More
The first major design change to the Liberty Seated Half Dime series occurred in 1838, when 13 stars were added around Miss Liberty on the obverse, following the directive of Mint Director Robert Maskell Patterson. This new “With Stars” subtype maintained the original No Stars hub, with stars individually hand-punched into each working die — a practice that distinguishes early With Stars issues from later modifications.
From 1838 through early 1840, these coins were produced without the drapery fold beneath Liberty’s elbow (which was added to the design later in 1840). This No Drapery type stands as a distinct collectible subtype within the Liberty Seated half dime series.
A notable variety within this range is the 1838 Small Stars, created when die polishing inadvertently reduced the size of the stars — a key diagnostic separating it from other issues. Another important rarity is the 1840-O Large Letters Reverse, a rare transitional piece that pairs the No Drapery obverse with the later reverse design.
Type Set Appeal: A must-have for type collectors seeking to complete the early stages of the Liberty Seated half dime series.
Key Varieties: Includes scarce varieties like the 1838 Small Stars and the 1840-O transitional issue.
Historic Significance: Represents the Mint’s early efforts at refining the Liberty Seated motif, bridging the gap between the No Stars and Drapery-added designs.
Ideal for collectors focused on early U.S. silver coinage, this type offers historical significance paired with a level of rarity that enhances its desirability across multiple grade levels.
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