A survey of 19th century business strike coin
H10C SEATED LIBERTY, NO DRAPERY (1838-1840)

Owner Comments:

In 1838 Christian Gobrecht bowed to tradition and added a ring of 13 stars, symbolic of the original 13 states, around the periphery of his Liberty Seated design. Today many numismatists believe that the change was not for the better because the design looked more cluttered and the design execution was less sharp because of weaker striking. The previous No Stars design had looked like a little cameo to some observers. Nevertheless the stars would remain on the obverse of the half dime and dime until 1860 when they would be replaced by the legend, “United States of America.”

The type coin name “No Drapery” refers to absence of a fold of cloth that comes down from Ms. Liberty’s elbow on subsequent issues of the coin. This distinction will become more obvious when you view pictures of the coin that follows.

The coin pictured above is an attractive example of the No Drapery half dime. Although its surfaces have been dipped, the design details are strong and provide an attractive example of Christian Gobrecht’s artwork.