Seated Liberty Dollar (1840-1873)

In 1840, the U.S. Mint struck new dollars for circulation after a break of nearly 40 years. The obverse of the Seated Liberty Dollar by Christian Gobrecht shows Liberty sitting on a rock surrounded by 13 stars. She holds a Union Shield with banner that reads LIBERTY and a Liberty cap atop a pole. The reverse depicts an American eagle with shield holding an olive branch and 3 arrows. Encircling the eagle are the denomination ONE DOL. and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Later issues saw little circulation as rising prices caused their 90% silver content to exceed face value.