1843 $1 Liberty Seated Dollar – PCGS XF45

According to Q. David Bowers, silver supplies remained a problem, and fewer 1843 Liberty Seated dollars were struck than could have been had domestic supplies been larger. Dollars were only struck for those bullion depositors specifically requesting them. However, had there been more bullion, there would have been more deposits made. As it was, the production amounted to 165,100 circulation strikes.

The silver dollar remained secondary to the half dollar in terms of use and acceptance in the channels of commerce. In the same year, 1843, 3,844,000 half dollars were struck at the Philadelphia Mint and 2,268,000 at New Orleans, for a total face value amounting to $3,056,000, or over 18 times more value in half dollars than silver dollars. Even the total face value of quarter dollars amounted to more than the value of silver dollars. Clearly, silver dollars were not popular as circulating coins, any more than in later decades. One reason for this is that a dollar was worth a day’s pay or more, and many transactions for merchandise and services could be handled more satisfactorily with half dimes, dimes, quarters, or half dollars. Even the lowly copper cent had significant purchasing value at the time.

Circulation strike mintage: 165,100; Delivery figures by day: January 31: 83,000; February 28: 25,500; November 30: 56,600. Estimated quantity melted: Unknown. Characteristics of striking: Varies; topmost stars and head of Miss Liberty are often lightly struck. Known hoards of Mint State coins: None.