šŸ’° 1852 Seated Liberty Dollar (No Motto): A $92,000 Rarity Hidden in Plain Sight

The Coin That Defines Early U.S. Silver Dollar Scarcity


šŸ›ļø Historical Significance

The 1852 Seated Liberty Dollar (No Motto) is a cornerstone of 19th-century American numismatics. Struck before the addition of the ā€œIN GOD WE TRUSTā€ motto in 1866, this coin reflects a pivotal era in U.S. history, marked by westward expansion and pre-Civil War tensions. With fewer than 1,000 Original Strike examples surviving today, it stands as one of the rarest and most sought-after silver dollars of its time.


šŸ” Design & Key Identifiers

  • Designer:Ā Christian Gobrecht, featuring the iconicĀ Seated LibertyĀ motif.
  • Obverse:Ā Lady Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield and liberty cap.
  • Reverse:Ā A majestic eagle with outstretched wings,Ā no mottoĀ above it.
  • Mint Marks:Ā Philadelphia (no mint mark), New Orleans (ā€œOā€), and San Francisco (ā€œSā€).
  • Composition:Ā 90% silver, 10% copper.
  • Weight:Ā 26.73 grams (0.773 oz of silver).

šŸ’Ž Two Varieties: Original Strikes vs. Restrikes

VarietyKey DetailsSurvival EstimateValue Range
Original StrikeMinted in 1852 for circulation.<1,0002,000–2,000–92,000+
RestrikeProduced in the 1870s for collectors.~3510,000–10,000–50,000

Why Original Strikes Are More Valuable:

  • Historical Context:Ā Circulated during the Gold Rush era, making survivors rare.
  • Auction Record:Ā An Original Strike gradedĀ PCGS MS-64Ā sold forĀ $92,014Ā at Heritage Auctions.
  • Restrike Rarity:Ā Though fewer exist, they lack the historical circulation narrative, reducing demand.

šŸ“œ The Mystery of the Restrikes

In the 1870s, the U.S. Mint produced restrikes of the 1852 dollar using original dies to meet collector demand. These restrikes are identifiable by:

  • Sharper Details:Ā Less wear on high points (e.g., Liberty’s knees).
  • Die Polish Lines:Ā Visible hairlines from later die preparation.
  • No Circulation Wear:Ā Most restrikes were preserved in collections.

āš ļø Red Flags & Authentication Tips

  1. Missing Motto:Ā EnsureĀ no ā€œIN GOD WE TRUSTā€Ā appears above the eagle.
  2. Weight & Magnet Test:Ā Must weigh ~26.73g and be non-magnetic.
  3. Edge Lettering:Ā Authentic coins have reeded edges (no inscriptions).
  4. Professional Grading:Ā OnlyĀ PCGSĀ orĀ NGCĀ certifications guarantee authenticity.

Common Fakes:

  • Altered 1852-O or 1852-S coins with mint marks removed.
  • Counterfeits with incorrect luster or tooling marks.

šŸ“ˆ Market Outlook & Collector Demand

  • Original Strikes:
    • Circulated (VG-F):Ā 2,000–2,000–10,000.
    • Uncirculated (MS-60+):Ā 30,000–30,000–92,000+.
  • Restrikes:
    • Proof-Like (PR-63):Ā 20,000–20,000–50,000.

Why Collectors Crave It:

  • Symbolizes pre-Civil War America’s economic ambition.
  • Key to completing Seated Liberty dollar sets.

šŸ› ļø How to Sell Your 1852 Dollar

  1. Get It Graded:Ā PCGS/NGC certification addsĀ 50–200% valueĀ (100–100–300 fee).
  2. Auction Houses:
    • Heritage AuctionsĀ orĀ Stack’s BowersĀ for high-grade examples.
    • GreatCollectionsĀ for mid-tier coins.
  3. Avoid Scams:
    • Reject unsolicited offers; verify buyers via theĀ ANA Dealer Directory.

šŸ“š Learn More on PennyVerse.info


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PS: That ā€œ1852 dollar in your atticā€? 99.9% fake. For the 0.1% chance, contact NGC/PCGS ā€“ you might join the $92,000 club! šŸ†

4 responses to “šŸ’° 1852 Seated Liberty Dollar (No Motto): A $92,000 Rarity Hidden in Plain Sight”

  1. Raymond B. Catiil Avatar

    l have 2 PCs. coins. 1875. and 1876. I’m here in Philippines. this is my celpon #. 09944699158

  2. Raymond B. Catiil Avatar

    I have two pieces that coins. 1875, and 1876. I’m here in Philippines. I hope you can help me. this is my cel # 09944699158

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4 Comments on “šŸ’° 1852 Seated Liberty Dollar (No Motto): A $92,000 Rarity Hidden in Plain Sight”

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