1876 Liberty Seated Half Dollar — 90% Silver — With Motto

1876 Liberty Seated Half Dollar — 90% Silver — With Motto

Own a classic piece of 19th-century American numismatic history with this 1876 Liberty Seated Silver Half Dollar, struck during the centennial year of American independence.

The Liberty Seated Half Dollar series was produced from 1839 through 1891 and remains one of the most recognizable designs in classic United States silver coinage. The series circulated through the Civil War, Reconstruction, westward expansion, and the nation's emergence as a major industrial power.

The 1876 Liberty Seated Half Dollar is particularly appealing because it was issued during the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, giving the coin additional historical significance.

The obverse features a seated representation of Lady Liberty resting upon a rock. Liberty holds a pole topped with a Phrygian cap, symbolizing freedom, while her other hand supports a shield inscribed LIBERTY. Thirteen stars surround the design, representing the original American colonies, with the date 1876 positioned beneath.

The reverse displays a heraldic American eagle with outstretched wings, holding an olive branch and arrows. A shield covers the eagle's breast, while a ribbon above carries the national motto IN GOD WE TRUST.

The motto was added to the Liberty Seated Half Dollar design in 1866, following the American Civil War. The 1876 issue belongs to the With Motto design period and does not feature arrows beside the date.

The Philadelphia Mint struck 8,418,000 business-strike half dollars in 1876, making the issue one of the more accessible dates within the Liberty Seated Half Dollar series.

This substantial production occurred during a period when the United States was preparing to restore the circulation of silver coinage after years of widespread paper currency use.

The coin was produced during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, as the United States celebrated its centennial and continued its transformation during the Reconstruction era.

Struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, the 1876 Liberty Seated Half Dollar has a standard weight of 12.50 grams and contains approximately 0.3617 troy ounces of pure silver.

The design is credited to Christian Gobrecht, whose Liberty Seated imagery became one of the defining artistic themes of 19th-century American coinage.

Whether collected as part of a Liberty Seated Half Dollar date set, a United States centennial-year collection, or a broader classic American silver type set, the 1876 Liberty Seated Half Dollar offers an appealing combination of historical significance, precious metal content, and timeless design.

Product Details

• Denomination: Half Dollar ($0.50 USD)

• Year: 1876

• Mint: Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)

• Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollar (1839–1891)

• Type: With Motto, No Arrows

• Original Mintage: 8,418,000 business strikes

• Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

• Standard Weight: 12.50 grams

• Diameter: Approximately 30.6 mm

• Actual Silver Weight (ASW): Approximately 0.3617 Troy Ounces

• Designer: Christian Gobrecht

• Obverse: Seated Liberty holding a liberty pole and shield, surrounded by thirteen stars

• Reverse: Heraldic eagle with shield, olive branch, and arrows, with IN GOD WE TRUST above

• Mint Mark Location: None on Philadelphia issues; branch-mint marks appear beneath the eagle on the reverse

• Edge: Reeded

• Condition: See product photographs for the exact coin offered

• Quantity: One individual coin

Please Note: This listing is for one specific 1876 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.