1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?
The 1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar is a Civil War-era silver coin struck at Philadelphia and San Francisco. Guide estimates for ordinary circulation strikes range from about $141 in G4 to $947 in AU50, based on USA Coin Book figures.
Proofs, scarce mintmark styles, and error coins can carry different premiums, so identifying your exact version and condition matters.
Fast Way to Identify Your 1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar
The quickest way to start is to upload clear photos of both the front and back of your coin. Our identifier can provide a preliminary identification of your mint, design type, and mintmark style.
Snap the photos in even lighting, making sure the date and any mark below the eagle are sharp and readable.
1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar Value
Upload both sides of your 1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar.
Front Obverse
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Back Reverse
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Which 1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar Versions Are Worth Money?
- Philadelphia Type 2 and San Francisco issues share similar guide ranges, but exact mintmark styles can matter to specialists. Check below the eagle for an S or no mintmark.
- San Francisco coins come in four documented mintmark styles for 1864: Large S, Small Wide Perfect S, Small Wide Broken S, and Small Thin S. Each is a distinct punch.
- Philadelphia Proofs are a separate collectible finish; a PR63 example carries an approximate guide value around $2,005.
- Repunched Date varieties exist for 1864 and are tracked by specialists. Traces of an earlier date punch can add collector interest.
- The Small Wide Broken S mintmark is a recognized variety, not post-mint damage. Distinguishing it from a worn or scratched S is critical for proper attribution.
Step 1: Identify Your 1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar Mint Mark and Version
First, confirm you actually have a half dollar. Read the reverse: it says HALF DOL.
A half dime or quarter will read differently, and mixing them up is more common than you'd think.
Flip the coin over and look below the eagle on the reverse. Philadelphia coins carry no mintmark at all.
San Francisco issues show an "S" in that spot, and the size and shape of that S matter for identifying the specific variety.
The 1864 half dollar is 90% silver and 10% copper, weighs about 12.44 grams, and has a reeded edge. There is no motto above the eagle; "In God We Trust" did not appear on this denomination until 1866.
You may see references to Type 1 and Type 2 reverses. These describe different reverse hubs, not errors.
The key diagnostic is the letter L in HALF: Type 1 has a short base on the L, while Type 2 has a longer base and a small lump near the eagle's left leg. Both hub types can appear on 1864 coins depending on the mint and mintmark variety.
Proof is a special manufacturing finish with mirrored surfaces and sharp rims. It is not a grade above Mint State.
A coin that simply looks shiny is not necessarily a Proof.
Step 2: Check Your 1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar Grade
Start with Liberty's head on the obverse. In lower grades the hair detail above the ear vanishes first.
Next check the breast, knee, and the lines across the shield, which flatten progressively as the coin circulates.
On the reverse, the eagle's head, neck feathers, and wing tips are the high points. These wear down in a predictable sequence that the comparison image illustrates clearly.
Don't confuse a weakly struck area for wear. A weak strike still shows underlying luster and a smooth, undisturbed surface texture.
Actual wear creates a dull, slightly rough patch where metal has been rubbed away. Check both faces and the edge under good light.
Cleaning, polishing, or environmental damage will lower the coin's market value regardless of the remaining detail. Hairlines from an old cleaning are visible under magnification as thin parallel scratches across the fields.
Coin Value Lookup is a good starting point if you want to look up other coin guides in this series or compare different dates and denominations side by side.
Step 3: Check 1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar Value by Mint and Version
1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar — Philadelphia — Type 2
The Philadelphia Type 2 half dollar has no mintmark. Look at the L in HALF on the reverse: Type 2 shows a longer base on that letter, plus a small lump near the eagle's left leg that Type 1 lacks.
These diagnostics are subtle, so compare your coin at matching magnification to a known example.
USA Coin Book guide estimates for Philadelphia strikes run about $141 in G4, $394 in VF20, and $947 in AU50. These are aggregate Philadelphia figures and not subtype-specific quotes, so they serve as a general anchor rather than a precise price for this particular hub variety.
Guide estimates are not guaranteed offers.
Ordinary-issue reference: Ordinary-issue reference only: The table below shows prices for the 1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar (regular strike). It does not represent the value of the specific Philadelphia — Type 2 variety or its variety premium. Year, mint, metal and strike type are matched; the specific variety is not priced by this table.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PO PO 1
—
Coin Identifier FR FR 2
—
Coin Identifier AG AG 3
—
Coin Identifier G G 4
—
Coin Identifier
G 6
—
Coin Identifier VG VG 8
—
Coin Identifier
VG 10
—
Coin Identifier F F 12
Coin Identifier
F 15
Coin Identifier VF VF 20
Coin Identifier
VF 25
Coin Identifier
VF 30
Coin Identifier
VF 35
Coin Identifier XF XF 40
Coin Identifier
XF 45
Coin Identifier AU AU 50
Coin Identifier
AU 53
Coin Identifier
AU 55
Coin Identifier
AU 58
Coin Identifier MS MS 60
Coin Identifier
MS 61
Coin Identifier
MS 62
Coin Identifier
MS 63
Coin Identifier
MS 64
Coin Identifier
MS 65
Coin Identifier
MS 66
Coin Identifier
MS 67
Coin Identifier
MS 68
—
—
—
MS 69
—
—
—
MS 70
—
—
—
1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar — San Francisco — Large S — Type 1
The Large S Type 1 pairs a distinctly oversized S mintmark below the eagle with the Type 1 reverse hub, which has the shorter base on the L in HALF and no eagle-leg lump. The S itself is noticeably taller and wider than the small-S variants from the same year.
A small or broken punch is a completely different variety, not a worn Large S. Compare your mintmark at matched scale against known examples of each style before drawing conclusions.
Aggregate San Francisco guide values sit at roughly $141 in G4, $394 in VF20, and $947 in AU50 per USA Coin Book. No separate subtype premium is currently adopted, and these figures are estimates, not guaranteed offers.
Ordinary-issue reference: Ordinary-issue reference only: The table below shows prices for the 1864-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar (regular strike). It does not represent the value of the specific San Francisco — Large S — Type 1 variety or its variety premium. Year, mint, metal and strike type are matched; the specific variety is not priced by this table.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PO PO 1
—
Coin Identifier FR FR 2
—
Coin Identifier AG AG 3
—
Coin Identifier G G 4
—
Coin Identifier
G 6
—
Coin Identifier VG VG 8
Coin Identifier
VG 10
Coin Identifier F F 12
Coin Identifier
F 15
Coin Identifier VF VF 20
Coin Identifier
VF 25
Coin Identifier
VF 30
Coin Identifier
VF 35
Coin Identifier XF XF 40
Coin Identifier
XF 45
Coin Identifier AU AU 50
Coin Identifier
AU 53
Coin Identifier
AU 55
Coin Identifier
AU 58
Coin Identifier MS MS 60
Coin Identifier
MS 61
Coin Identifier
MS 62
Coin Identifier
MS 63
Coin Identifier
MS 64
Coin Identifier
MS 65
Coin Identifier
MS 66
Coin Identifier
MS 67
—
—
—
MS 68
—
—
—
MS 69
—
—
—
MS 70
—
—
—
1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar — San Francisco — Small Wide Perfect S — Type 2
This variety pairs a Small Wide Perfect S mintmark with the Type 2 reverse hub. The S is smaller and wider than the Large S, but its curves are fully formed with no breaks or missing segments.
The Type 2 reverse is confirmed by the longer base on the L in HALF and the lump near the eagle's left leg.
Side-by-side comparison with the Broken S variety is essential. A perfect S has continuous, uninterrupted curves in both the upper and lower portions.
San Francisco aggregate guide figures apply: about $141 in G4, $394 in VF20, and $947 in AU50. These are USA Coin Book estimates, not guaranteed offers.
Ordinary-issue reference: Ordinary-issue reference only: The table below shows prices for the 1864-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar (regular strike). It does not represent the value of the specific San Francisco — Small Wide Perfect S — Type 2 variety or its variety premium. Year, mint, metal and strike type are matched; the specific variety is not priced by this table.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PO PO 1
—
Coin Identifier FR FR 2
—
Coin Identifier AG AG 3
—
Coin Identifier G G 4
—
Coin Identifier
G 6
—
Coin Identifier VG VG 8
Coin Identifier
VG 10
Coin Identifier F F 12
Coin Identifier
F 15
Coin Identifier VF VF 20
Coin Identifier
VF 25
Coin Identifier
VF 30
Coin Identifier
VF 35
Coin Identifier XF XF 40
Coin Identifier
XF 45
Coin Identifier AU AU 50
Coin Identifier
AU 53
Coin Identifier
AU 55
Coin Identifier
AU 58
Coin Identifier MS MS 60
Coin Identifier
MS 61
Coin Identifier
MS 62
Coin Identifier
MS 63
Coin Identifier
MS 64
Coin Identifier
MS 65
Coin Identifier
MS 66
Coin Identifier
MS 67
—
—
—
MS 68
—
—
—
MS 69
—
—
—
MS 70
—
—
—
1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar — San Francisco — Small Wide Broken S — Type 2
The Small Wide Broken S on a Type 2 reverse is one of the more distinctive 1864 San Francisco varieties. The upper portion of the S mintmark is visibly incomplete, a result of the punch itself being damaged before it was used on the working die.
This is not post-mint wear or a scratch.
To identify it, compare the top curve of the S against a known perfect S at the same scale. The break should be consistent across all examples struck from that punch.
Aggregate San Francisco guide estimates are about $141 in G4, $394 in VF20, and $947 in AU50, per USA Coin Book. No separate premium for this mintmark style has been adopted, and these are estimates only.
Ordinary-issue reference: Ordinary-issue reference only: The table below shows prices for the 1864-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar (regular strike). It does not represent the value of the specific San Francisco — Small Wide Broken S — Type 2 variety or its variety premium. Year, mint, metal and strike type are matched; the specific variety is not priced by this table.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PO PO 1
—
Coin Identifier FR FR 2
—
Coin Identifier AG AG 3
—
Coin Identifier G G 4
—
Coin Identifier
G 6
—
Coin Identifier VG VG 8
Coin Identifier
VG 10
Coin Identifier F F 12
Coin Identifier
F 15
Coin Identifier VF VF 20
Coin Identifier
VF 25
Coin Identifier
VF 30
Coin Identifier
VF 35
Coin Identifier XF XF 40
Coin Identifier
XF 45
Coin Identifier AU AU 50
Coin Identifier
AU 53
Coin Identifier
AU 55
Coin Identifier
AU 58
Coin Identifier MS MS 60
Coin Identifier
MS 61
Coin Identifier
MS 62
Coin Identifier
MS 63
Coin Identifier
MS 64
Coin Identifier
MS 65
Coin Identifier
MS 66
Coin Identifier
MS 67
—
—
—
MS 68
—
—
—
MS 69
—
—
—
MS 70
—
—
—
1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar — San Francisco — Small Thin S — Type 2
The Small Thin S on a Type 2 reverse is the fourth San Francisco mintmark style documented for 1864. As the name implies, this S is narrower and thinner than the Small Wide varieties.
Set it beside a Small Wide S at the same magnification and the difference in stroke width is clear.
Don't mistake a worn Small Wide S for a Small Thin S. The thin punch produces consistently narrow strokes across all known specimens, while wear rounds off the existing letter shape without actually thinning the strokes uniformly.
Aggregate S-mint guide values apply: roughly $141 in G4, $394 in VF20, $947 in AU50. These USA Coin Book estimates are not guaranteed offers.
Ordinary-issue reference: Ordinary-issue reference only: The table below shows prices for the 1864-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar (regular strike). It does not represent the value of the specific San Francisco — Small Thin S — Type 2 variety or its variety premium. Year, mint, metal and strike type are matched; the specific variety is not priced by this table.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PO PO 1
—
Coin Identifier FR FR 2
—
Coin Identifier AG AG 3
—
Coin Identifier G G 4
—
Coin Identifier
G 6
—
Coin Identifier VG VG 8
Coin Identifier
VG 10
Coin Identifier F F 12
Coin Identifier
F 15
Coin Identifier VF VF 20
Coin Identifier
VF 25
Coin Identifier
VF 30
Coin Identifier
VF 35
Coin Identifier XF XF 40
Coin Identifier
XF 45
Coin Identifier AU AU 50
Coin Identifier
AU 53
Coin Identifier
AU 55
Coin Identifier
AU 58
Coin Identifier MS MS 60
Coin Identifier
MS 61
Coin Identifier
MS 62
Coin Identifier
MS 63
Coin Identifier
MS 64
Coin Identifier
MS 65
Coin Identifier
MS 66
Coin Identifier
MS 67
—
—
—
MS 68
—
—
—
MS 69
—
—
—
MS 70
—
—
—
1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar — Philadelphia Proof
Philadelphia Proofs were struck with polished dies and planchets, producing mirrored fields and sharply defined devices. Rims are typically squared and precise.
Do not assume a coin is a Proof simply because it looks bright or has good detail; genuine Proofs show a specific combination of surface quality, rim character, and strike sharpness.
A USA Coin Book guide estimate places a PR63 example at approximately $2,005. Cameo and deep cameo designations may exist within the Proof category for coins showing frosted devices against mirrored fields, but these remain within the Proof branch rather than a separate product line.
This guide figure is an estimate and not a guaranteed offer. Authentication by a recognized grading service is strongly recommended for any coin believed to be a Proof.
Range Grade
Price Auction Records Appraisal PR PR 1
—
Coin Identifier
PR 2
—
Coin Identifier
PR 3
—
Coin Identifier
PR 4
—
Coin Identifier
PR 6
—
Coin Identifier
PR 8
—
Coin Identifier
PR 10
—
Coin Identifier
PR 12
—
Coin Identifier
PR 15
—
Coin Identifier
PR 20
—
Coin Identifier
PR 25
—
Coin Identifier
PR 30
—
Coin Identifier
PR 35
—
Coin Identifier
PR 40
—
Coin Identifier
PR 45
—
Coin Identifier
PR 50
—
Coin Identifier
PR 53
—
Coin Identifier
PR 55
—
Coin Identifier
PR 58
—
Coin Identifier
PR 60
—
Coin Identifier
PR 61
Coin Identifier
PR 62
Coin Identifier
PR 63
Coin Identifier
PR 64
Coin Identifier
PR 65
Coin Identifier
PR 66
Coin Identifier
PR 67
—
Coin Identifier
PR 68
—
Coin Identifier
PR 69
—
—
—
PR 70
—
—
—
1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar Error List
1. 1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar — Repunched Date
A Repunched Date on the 1864 half dollar shows traces of an earlier impression of the date numerals visible alongside the final placement. On a documented Philadelphia example, look at the numeral 4: earlier traces appear above the crossbar and to the right of the foot, where remnants of the first punch were not fully obliterated by the corrected strike.
Examine the date area at 5x to 10x magnification and compare each numeral against a normal 1864 at the same scale. Machine doubling produces a flat, shelf-like secondary image with no independent serifs, while a genuine repunched date shows a distinct, rounded second impression.
Damage or a scratched surface can also mimic extra date lines, so the traces must be consistent and raised.
The value of a repunched date depends on the visibility of the remnant, the coin's overall condition, and collector demand for that specific variety.
2. 1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar — Die Crack / Die Chip
Die cracks on the 1864 half dollar appear as thin, raised lines on the coin's surface, tracing the path where the steel die fractured during use. These lines are always raised because the crack in the die created a recessed channel that filled with metal during striking.
Auction records describe fine die cracks accompanying certain 1864 date varieties. To confirm a die crack, look for a raised, continuous line that extends across the field or through a device in a way that could not result from normal design elements.
Don't confuse a die crack with an incuse scratch, corrosion line, or foreign material stuck to the surface. Scratches are recessed into the coin rather than raised above it.
The value of a die crack depends on its prominence, the coin's condition, and whether it is associated with a recognized die variety.
3. 1864 Liberty Seated Half Dollar — Broken Mintmark Punch / Incomplete S
The Broken Mintmark Punch, specifically the Small Wide Broken S, is a documented mintmark style on 1864 San Francisco half dollars. The upper portion of the S is visibly incomplete because the punch used to impress the mintmark into the die was itself damaged before production.
This is a die-level characteristic, meaning every coin struck from that die pair shows the same break in the same location. Compare the top curve of your S against a known perfect Small Wide S at the same magnification.
The missing segment should match published examples exactly.
Post-mint wear, tooling, or a scratch can make a complete S look broken, but those marks will be recessed or irregular, not consistent across multiple specimens. A correctly attributed Broken S is a recognized variety.
Its value depends on the coin's overall condition and the visibility of the break, but no specific numerical premium has been established in the sources reviewed.
