Q. David Bowers
Note the early use of the somewhat illogical terminology "excessively rare" in describing an 1851 dollar, which, literally, means "too rare" or "rarer than it should be."
1840 Proof, a little scratched $1.13.
1840 Very good impression $3.75.
1841 VF $1.75.
1842 VG $1.87.
1843 Fine $1.62.
1844 Fine and rare $1.87.
1845 Fine and scarce $2.25.
1846 VF $2.62.
1847 Fine impression $1.55.
1848 Fine and scarce $1.50.
1849 Fine $2 to Hulbert.
1850 Very fine impression $2.25 to Hulbert.
1850 Almost as good, $1.62 to Nickels.
1851 Splendid Proof, excessively rare, $27 to Curtis.
1852 Splendid Proof, equally rare, $27 to Walters.
1853 Very fine impression, $2.75 to Hulbert.
1853 Almost as fine, $1.62 to Talone.
1854 Splendid Proof, rare, $15 to Hulbert, sold over again to Wiggin for $8.75.
1854 Remarkably good, rare, $5.87 to Talone.
1855 VF, very scarce, $3.62.
1855 Not quite as good, $2.38 to Cogan.
1856 Unc, $2.25 to Cohen.
1856 AD $1.62 to Talone.
1857 Proof, slightly tarnished, $2.25 to Talone.
1857 Unc., splendid, $2.00 to Cogan.
1857 Fine Proof $3.38 to Cohen.
1857 Fine Proof $3.50 to Talone.
1858 Fine Proof $9.25 to Cogan.
1859 Fine Proof $1.75 to Hulbert.
The J.A. Nexsen Collection sold by Bangs, Merwin & Co., October 5-6, 1871, included the following Liberty Seated dollars and some Proof sets containing such dollars.
1848 VG $2.00.
1852 Unc, 3.50.
1853 VF 3.00.
1854 Fair, 3.25,
1855 Unc. 3.00.
1856 Unc, $2.50.
1857 VG $2.25.
1858 Proof $9.00.
1861 VG $2.00.
1862 VG $2.25.
1864 VG $2.00.
1871 VF $2.00.
Proof Sets, 1863 to 1867, 3.25 to 3.50 each.
Bangs, Merwin & Co. sale of the John W. Kline Collection, June 8-9, 1876. This early offering of Liberty Seated dollars contained a selection of various dates. "Fine Proof' means "high quality Proof," while, presumably, "Quite Unc." means really Uncirculated. Curiously, the 1873 Proof is described as a rarity.
1840 Very Fair; scarce $1.25.
1841 Good $1.25.
1842 Fine $1.25.
1843 Good $1.00.
1844 Excellent impression; slightly scratched; scarce,
$1.25.
1845 VG $1.25.
1846 Fine $1.35.
1847 Fine $1.25.
1848 VG, scarce $1.25.
1849 VG, scarce $1.00.
1850-O Good, slightly scratched $1.30.
1853 Fine, rare $1.50.
1856 Good, rare $2.00.
1859 Fine Proof, scarce $1.10.
1859 Just touched by circulation $1.25.
1860 VF $1.00.
1862 Quite Unc. $1.00.
1865 Fine Proof $1.00.
1867 Fine Proof $1. 00.
1867 Unc, $1.10.
1868 Unc. $1.10.
1871 Quite Unc, $1.00.
1873 Fine Proof, very rare, $1.75.
William J. Jenks Collection catalogued by Edward D. Cogan, sold by Bangs & Co., April 12-13, 1877. Jenks, a discriminating collector (not to be confused with the better-known John Story Jenks, whose collection was auctioned in 1921), had an incomplete set of Liberty Seated dollars. Like most collectors of his era, he had no interest in mintmarks; hence, such issues as 1846-O, 1859-O, 1859-S, etc., are not represented. As has already been demonstrated by earlier-quoted sale listings, the typical or even great collection formed in the nineteenth century was apt to have business strike issues in only average condition. There were no grading standards in effect, and catalogue descriptions and interpretations varied widely. .
1840 An unusually fine impression, but very lightly nicked. $2.25.
1840 Another impression. A little more nicked, but Fine. $1.87.
1841 An unusually fine impression. $2.38.
1842 Very little circulated. $1.50.
1843 Fair $1.50.
1844 Fine $,1.75.
1845 VG $1.87.
1846 VF, barely circulated. $1.62. 1847 Fine $1.50.
1848 Fair $1.25.
1849VF: but slightly rubbed. $150.
1850 VF, been slightly rubbed in field. $2.50.
1851 beautiful Proof impression. $30.00.
1852 VF. Nicked in field. $25.00. '
1853 Fine, nicked. $2.00.
1854 Barely circulated. A trifle nicked. $7.00.
1855 Proof $14.
1856 Proof $14.50.
1857 Proof $3.50.
1871 Proof $1.50.