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US Seated Liberty Coin
The U.S. Seated Liberty Coins are another eye candy for coin
collectors around the globe. This particular depiction of the goddess
Liberty, draped in a flowing robe and seated on a rock, was better
favored by the general public than the unattractive Liberty bust designs
of the 18th century. The Seated Liberty design was so much more artistic
and more pleasing to the eye than its 18th century predecessor. Its
accompanying symbolic elements were more appropriate and meaningful.
Minted on the obverse side of the coin is the goddess Liberty, depicted
sitting on a rock in her smoothly flowing robe and holding a Liberty
Pole with the symbolic Liberty cap on top. Also featured on the obverse
is a striped shield resting at the foot of the goddess with a diagonal
sash bearing the inscription “LIBERTY”. The sashed shield symbolizes
vigilance of the country against any threat to freedom. Around the upper
half of coin’s rim, are 13 stars, which represent the original 13
colonies of the United States. On the lower part is the date year of the
coin’s mintage.
Meanwhile, there were two designs for the reverse side of the Seated
Liberty Coins for different denominations. One design was the wreath of
laurel leaves and other agricultural crops such as wheat and corn.
Wreath was used as a symbol for eternity; laurel leaves for victory and
achievement; and the agricultural crops for prosperity. The coin’s
denomination is inscribed inside the wreath. The other design bore the
image of an eagle bearing a shield similar to Liberty’s on its breast.
The eagle is clutching an olive branch with leaves, which is a symbol of
peace. And clutched in its other talons are arrows, symbol for defense.
Under the eagle is the coin’s denomination. In both designs, the words
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA were inscribed around the rim. The wreath
design was used on dime and half dime coins while the central eagle
design was used on silver dollar, half dollar and quarter coins.
This iconic design of Seated Liberty was featured on several U.S. dollar
regular issues from the mid of 19th century until towards its end. From
1836 until 1891, this coin design was struck on the following U.S.
coins: the dime, the half dime, the silver dollar, the half dollar, and
the quarter dollar. It also appeared on the twenty cent coin for three
years (1875-78). Aside from Philadelphia Mint (the main mint of the
U.S.), other branch mints that minted the Seated Liberty issues were
Carson City, New Orleans and San Francisco. |
