Description
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The book spans Liberty Seated silver coinage struck from 1836 through 1891. This includes half-dimes, dimes, twenty-cent pieces, quarters, half dollars, Gobrecht dollars, silver dollars, and trade dollars.
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It presents historical context: the period of “Hard Times,” silver & gold rushes, Civil War era, aftermath, and the late 19th-century mint operations.
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Detailed data is included: mintages, grading standards, auction records, rarity and value tables, and guidance on building quality collections.
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Appendices with specialized content: info about designer Christian Gobrecht; the various mints (Philadelphia, New Orleans, Carson City, San Francisco); discussions on die-making, master dies, hubs, trials and “splashers”; a chapter “A Visit to the Mint in 1861”; alternative U.S. currency etc.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Edition | 2nd Edition |
| Pages | 608 pages |
| Format / Size | Softcover / Trade paperback; Full-color; ~ 6 × 9 inches |
| ISBN-10 | 0794850510 |
| Publisher / Year | Whitman Publishing, 2023 |
Why It’s Useful for Collectors
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It’s the most comprehensive single-reference for Liberty Seated silver coins. Covers all denominations of that era, with strong visual (1,500+ full-color images) documentation.
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Helps with grading & condition evaluation: not just basic wear, but what to look for in terms of strike, surface preservation, mint-mark placement, etc. These attributes matter a lot for Liberty Seated coins.
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Auction records included give realistic value expectations. Good for both acquiring and selling coins — it helps avoid overpaying or undervaluing pieces.
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The historical material and mint-process appendices are great to understand why certain coins are rare, what variant types might exist, and where errors or special dies may appear. These are premium features beyond basic catalogs.
