These were the last silver half dimes produced. The design features
Liberty seated on a rock and holding a shield and was first conceived in
1835 used first on the silver dollar patterns of 1836. The series is
divided into several subtypes. The first was struck at Philadelphia in
1837 and New Orleans in 1838 and lacks stars on the obverse. In 1838 a
semicircle of 13 stars was added around the obverse border, and this
basic design was used through 1859. In 1853, small arrows were added to
each side of the date to reflect a reduction in weight due to rising
silver prices, and the arrows remained in place through 1855. The arrows
were dropped in 1856, with the earlier design resumed through 1859. In
1860, the obverse stars were replaced with the inscription UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA and the reverse wreath was enlarged. This design stayed in
place through the end of the series. In 1978 a unique 1870-S Seated Liberty half dime
became known. The Seated Liberty half dime was produced at the
Philadelphia, San Francisco and New Orleans mints in an aggregate amount
of 84,828,478 coins struck for circulation.
