1850 Liberty Seated Silver Dollar $1 PCGS PR64+

A virtual gem. Only 20 struck. Just 1 graded higher at PCGS. This Liberty Seated proof 1850 Silver Dollar has a sharp, full strike, as expected for a proof coin. The centers of the stars and the feathers of the eagle are all bold. The surfaces show some cameo contrast with the principal devices lighter than the fields on both sides. Not a trace of wear is seen on the coin, in keeping with the grade.

Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the obverse shows Liberty looking over her shoulder to the left as she sits on a rock. In one hand she holds a pole with a Phrygian cap upon it. With the other she balances the LIBERTY inscribed Union shield. Thirteen stars are above, interrupted by her head and the cap, and the date is below. The reverse shows the heraldic eagle looking left. In its talons are the olive branch and arrows, symbols of peace and preparedness. At the top is the required inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The denomination written as ONE DOL. is below.

There were three varieties of the proof strike of 1850. One issue has a closed 5 in the date. The other two have open 5s. One of the open 5 issues has a heavy die crack through the base of the date. The present coin is the open 5 without the die crack. The reverse uses the reverse of 1840-50, which has elements of the vertical shield stripes extending through the horizontal line above. The right part of the first stripe extends farthest upward and touches the third horizontal stripe.