1856–1859: Liberty Seated Dime (Variety 2B: Stars on Obverse, Arrows Removed)

Coin specifications and design

Years made: 1856-1859

Country: United States

Denomination: Ten cents

Category: Circulating coin

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

Silver fineness: 90%

Weight: 2.49 g

Diameter: 17.9 mm

Thickness: Approx. 1.35 mm

Edge: Reeded

Designer: Christian Gobrecht / James B. Longacre arrows modifications

Design identification

Obverse: Liberty seated on a rock holding shield and pole.

1856–1859: Liberty Seated Dime (Variety 2B: Stars on Obverse, Arrows Removed) history

1856–1859: Liberty Seated Dime (Variety 2B: Stars on Obverse, Arrows Removed) adds thirteen stars around Christian Gobrecht’s Seated Liberty figure. It predates the arrows used to announce the 1853 weight reduction, so James B. Longacre’s later arrows work does not belong in this subtype’s designer specification.

This dime interval is identified by thirteen obverse stars and ONE DIME within the wreath. The date markers and 2.49-gram standard separate 1856–1859: Liberty Seated Dime (Variety 2B: Stars on Obverse, Arrows Removed) from the adjacent arrows subtypes.