The concept for the "Liberty Seated" design came from U.S. Mint Director Robert Patterson. Patterson liked the strength conveyed in the seated "Brittania" and ask for a design of his "Liberty Seated" concept. The design was placed on several coins, including the Half Dollar.

The obverse is a representation of Liberty with flowing robes, seated on a rock, her head turned to her right, her left arm bent and holding a pole topped by a "Liberty cap". Her right hand supporting a Union shield at her side across it is a curved banner displaying LIBERTY. The date is at the bottom of the rock on which she is setting. Inside dentils along the raised rim 13 stars form a partial circle.

This 1839 half dollar was produced in two types. The No Drapery type refers to the absence of drapery below Liberty's elbow. The Drapery 1839 version adds extra drapery extending from the elbow to the leg. An additional distinguishing feature is the rock upon which Liberty rests is larger than the one shown on other types of liberty seated half dollars.

Vital Stats.

Type 1 No Drapery at Elbow (1839)

• Designer: Christian Gobrecht
• Weight: 13.36 grams
• Diameter: 30.6 millimeters
• Edge: Reeded
• Content: 90% silver 10% copper
• Mint Mark Location: Below the eagle on the reverse.

Type 1 Mintage

Census/population reports show only a few hundred No Drapery examples known.

Type 1
No Drapery (1839)

The reverse has eagle with partly extended wings. The eagle clutches three arrows in the left claw and an olive branch in the right (fletching is shown for only two arrowheads) and a shield is over the chest.

Vital Stats.

Type 2 Without Motto On Reverse (1839 - 1853)

• Designer: Christian Gobrecht
• Weight: 13.36 grams
• Diameter: 30.6 millimeters
• Edge: Reeded
• Content: 90% silver 10% copper
• Mint Mark Location: Below the eagle on the reverse.

Type 2 Mintage

Type 2
No Motto (1839 - 1853) (1856 - 1866)

Vital Stats.

Type 3 With Arrowheads At Date And Rays On Reverse (1853)

• Designer: Christian Gobrecht
• Diameter: 30.6 millimeters
• Weight: 12.44 grams
• Content: 90% silver 10% copper
• Edge: Reeded
• Mint Mark Location: Below the eagle on the reverse.

When Gold was discovered in California and began to be minted into coins, the price of silver went up compared to gold. To keep people from melting silver coins the silver content was dropped in silver coins (except for silver dollars). When the silver in the quarter dollar was reduced from 6.68 grams to 6.22 grams, an arrowhead was added to each side of the date, and rays extending out from the eagle were added to the reverse.

Type 3
Arrows & Rays (1853)

Vital Stats.

Type 4 With Arrowheads At Date, Without Rays On Reverse (1854 - 1855)

• Designer: Christian Gobrecht
• Diameter: 30.6 millimeters
• Weight: 12.44 grams
• Content: 90% silver 10% copper
• Edge: Reeded
• Mint Mark Location: Below the eagle on the reverse.

Type 2 Original Design Resumed (1856 - 1866)

The next year, the rays were eliminated from the reverse. The reason for this change was most likely because of the extra time needed to make the dies with rays, also excessive die wear from the heavier pressure needed to strike the design properly.

Type 4
No Motto, Arrows at Date (1854 - 1855)

Vital Stats.

Type 5 With "In God We Trust" On Reverse (1866 - 1873)

• Designer: Christian Gobrecht
• Diameter: 30.6 millimeters
• Weight: 12.44 grams
• Content: 90% silver 10% copper
• Edge: Reeded
• Mint Mark Location: Below the eagle on the reverse.

Type 5 Mintage

Keeping the lighter weight, the Type 2 design was resumed in 1856 and continued until 1865. In 1866 the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the reverse.

Type 5
With Motto (1866 - 1873) (1875 - 1891)

Vital Stats.

Type 6 With Arrowheads (1873 - 1874)

• Designer: Christian Gobrecht
• Diameter: 30.6 millimeters
• Weight: 12.5 grams
• Content: 90% silver 10% copper
• Edge: Reeded
• Mint Mark Location: Below the eagle on the reverse.

The first use of arrows and rays, then arrows only, marked a weight decrease of nearly one-half gram. This second use of arrows, defining the 1873-1874 type, was used for a much smaller difference of 0.03 grams. In 1875 mintage of the Type 5 design was resumed and continued until being replaced by the Barber Half Dollar.

Type 6
With Motto, Arrows at Date (1873 - 1874)