When silver dollars are mentioned, most people automatically think of Morgan dollars but there are also many other types of silver dollar coins one could choose to collect. This includes the Seated Liberty dollar. This coin was minted for the first time in 1840. At the time the coin was minted, the same design was used on the obverse of all silver coins in the United States. The design was originally created by designer Christian Gobrecht.

The obverse of the Seated Liberty dollar reflects Lady Liberty seated on a rock. In her right hand she bears the Union Shield, which is inscribed with the word Liberty. In her left hand, she is holding a long staff. The reverse side of the coin features an eagle, also with the Union Shield. The eagle is holding an olive branch within its right talons. There are three arrows in the eagle’s left talons. The words United States of America are printed within an arc along the upper half of the coin. The words One DOL are printed at the bottom of the coin, beneath the eagle.

Four different mints were used for the printing of these silver dollars. They were Philadelphia, Carson City, New Orleans and San Francisco. There is no mintmark for Philadelphia. The mintmarks for the other mints are CC, O and S; respectively. The mintmark is located beneath the talons of the eagle on the reverse side of the coin.

The most valuable examples of these silver coins include the 1870-S. There are believed to be only about 15 examples of those coins in existence. The 1851-0 coin is also highly valuable. There is only one known example of that coin to exist. Other rare examples of this coin include the 1851, with any mintmark, the 1852, 1858 and the CC mintmark for the 1871 and the 1872 coins as well as the 1873.

Strangely enough, the 1858 coin was produced only for the purposes of a proof re-strike during the years of the 1860s and the 1870s. Estimates indicate that between 50 and 500 specimens are believed to exist.

It should be noted that throughout the Civil War, between the years of 1861 and 1865, precious metals such as silver were considered to be extremely scarce. As a result, there are very few silver dollars produced during this time.

The Seated Liberty dollar remains a highly popular coin today and is worthy of including in any collection.