Seated Liberty Half Dollar Melt Value
Pure silver content of the Seated Liberty Half Dollar: 1839–1853 (before the weight cut) 0.3866 oz; 1853–1873 (arrows at date 1853–55) 0.3600 oz; 1873–1891 (arrows at date 1873–74) 0.3617 oz. At $57.35/oz silver, the 1839–1853 (before the weight cut) is worth about $22.17 in melt value. Collector value is separate and depends on date, mint mark and grade.
Values above refresh with the October 19, 2026 spot price.
Seated Liberty Half Dollar specifications
| Version | Years | Fineness | Gross weight | Pure silver | Diameter | Face value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1839–1853 (before the weight cut) | 1839–1853 | .900 (90%) | 13.36 g | 12.02 g (0.3866 oz t) | 30.6 mm | Half Dollar |
| 1853–1873 (arrows at date 1853–55) | 1853–1873 | .900 (90%) | 12.44 g | 11.2 g (0.3600 oz t) | 30.6 mm | Half Dollar |
| 1873–1891 (arrows at date 1873–74) | 1873–1891 | .900 (90%) | 12.5 g | 11.25 g (0.3617 oz t) | 30.6 mm | Half Dollar |
Christian Gobrecht's Seated Liberty design. The weight changed twice: 13.36 g until early 1853, 12.44 g from 1853 (arrows beside the date mark the change) and 12.50 g from 1873. All are 90% silver.
How to identify a Seated Liberty Half Dollar
- Arrows beside the date mark the weight changes: 1853–1855 (with rays on the reverse in 1853) and 1873–1874.
- The motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added above the eagle in 1866.
- The mint mark (O, S, CC) is on the reverse below the eagle.
How the melt value is calculated
Melt value = gross weight × fineness ÷ 31.1035 × spot price. For the 1839–1853 (before the weight cut): 13.36 g × .900 = 12.02 g of pure silver. Divide by 31.1035 grams per troy ounce to get 0.3866 oz, then multiply by $57.35 spot: about $22.17.
Melt value by quantity
| Quantity | 1839–1853 (before the weight cut) | 1853–1873 (arrows at date 1853–55) | 1873–1891 (arrows at date 1873–74) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 coin | $22.17 | $20.64 | $20.74 |
| 5 coins | $110.85 | $103.22 | $103.72 |
| 10 coins | $221.70 | $206.44 | $207.43 |
| 20 coins (1 roll) | $443.41 | $412.87 | $414.86 |
| 50 coins | $1,109 | $1,032 | $1,037 |
| 100 coins | $2,217 | $2,064 | $2,074 |
Melt value by face value
Dealers often price 90% silver by face value. Every $1 of face value in Seated Liberty Half Dollar coins holds 0.7732 oz of pure silver when the coins are full weight. Many dealers use 0.715 oz per $1 face for circulated dimes, quarters and halves, to allow for wear.
| Face value | Pure silver | Melt value |
|---|---|---|
| $1 face value | 0.7732 oz t | $44.34 |
| $10 face value | 7.7316 oz t | $443.41 |
| $100 face value | 77.3161 oz t | $4,434 |
| $1,000 face value | 773.1606 oz t | $44,341 |
Melt value vs collector value
Melt value is only what the silver in a Seated Liberty Half Dollar is worth at today's spot price. A coin's market value can be much higher: scarce dates, mint marks and high grades sell to collectors for a premium, while common dates in worn condition trade closer to melt. Nu Stack does not estimate collector prices on this page. For a specific coin, check the date and mint mark, the condition (a grading service such as PCGS or NGC, or a local dealer) and recent sales.
Related coins
More: Silver melt value explained · How to sell silver coins · Where to sell silver · Free melt calculator · All coin melt values
Specs: Nu Stack coin database (curated entries and the Numista catalog). Not in the database (it lists 12.44 g for every year). 13.36 g is the 1837–1853 standard (Act of 1837; PCGS CoinFacts). Not in the database. The Coinage Act of 1873 raised the half dollar to 12.50 g (PCGS CoinFacts). Melt values use the silver spot price from the Nu Stack price feed and are estimates of metal content only, not offers to buy or sell.
Frequently asked questions
How much silver is in a Seated Liberty Half Dollar?
1839–1853 (before the weight cut): 12.02 g (0.3866 troy oz) of pure silver; 1853–1873 (arrows at date 1853–55): 11.2 g (0.3600 troy oz) of pure silver; 1873–1891 (arrows at date 1873–74): 11.25 g (0.3617 troy oz) of pure silver.
What is a Seated Liberty Half Dollar worth in melt value today?
At $57.35/oz silver (October 19, 2026): 1839–1853 (before the weight cut) about $22.17; 1853–1873 (arrows at date 1853–55) about $20.64; 1873–1891 (arrows at date 1873–74) about $20.74. The value moves with the spot price, and this page updates automatically.
Is a Seated Liberty Half Dollar worth more than its melt value?
It can be. Scarce dates, mint marks and coins in high grades sell above melt value to collectors, while common dates in worn condition trade closer to melt. Check the date, mint mark and condition, or ask a grading service or dealer, for a collector value.