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$10 Base One Ounce Silver Liberty Dollars
The one ounce silver pieces have been numbered in the order of release.
#11, 14-58 are $20 base pieces and can be found on the $20 base page
The one ounce silver Liberty Dollar was introduced in 1998 with no face value. That made it just another generic silver round, except that it had a date of issue on it. It was only produced for three short months from October 1998 to the end of the year. It was replaced with the first $10 base Liberty Dollar using the same obverse die as the original, but with a totally new reverse bearing a second date of 1999 (the obverse still bore 1998). $10 base simply meant that all silver issued by the organization would be valued at $10 per ounce regardless of market price. The $10 base was used until the market price of silver exceeded $8 per ounce for a specified time, at which point the base and face value of the silver issues changed to $20 per ounce. That happened on Thanksgiving day, November 25th, 2005. In all, twelve (known at the time) one ounce silver varieties were produced and distributed prior to that date. One $20 base piece was minted in 2004 (in anticipation of the move up) prior to that date, but it was not distributed until after the move up. The last piece in the set, the original, $10 Puerto Rico Liberty Dollar, was designed and produced just prior to the move up, but was dated 2006 because it was not anticipated to be completed and released before the turn of the year, but it was already done when the move up happened on Thanksgiving, 2005. This was also the first custom Liberty Dollar, designed at the behest of the Puerto Rico RCO, who wanted to give Puerto Ricans their own money.
Here are the currently known 18, one ounce, $10 base silver Liberty Dollars issued by NORFED. The red number by each photo signifies the order in which the one ounce silver pieces were produced. The ones with .5 in the number were not discovered until after this page was created. The eleventh piece is the 2004 $20 base piece described above and is not included in this $10 base set, but can be found as the first item on the $20 base page.
The word NORFED appears only on the first six pieces!
(and in the website address of the 2003 pieces)
After that, the organization was still NORFED (but the word did not appear on the specie)
until 2006 when it changed to Liberty Dollar. The best way to find Liberty Dollar specie and pieces with artwork licensed to other companies by NORFED/Liberty Dollar on the internet is to search on the keyword NORFED.
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#0 The Pattern Piece (Unretouched photo reflecting the camera)
This is the original one ounce silver piece that was struck at the Royal Hawaiian Mint when the idea of the Liberty Dollar was first conceived. Note the word PATTERN at the top center of the reverse. I was informed that a full tube of 20 pieces was struck and that some of them were given away and/or sold over the years. This item was added to the encyclopedia on 3/15/2012. I have decided not to re-number the encyclopedia at this time, but be aware that this piece does exist and is very rare. Some of them were also sold with certificates of authenticity. One can be seen here;
According to the certificate, Bernard von NotHaus submitted this obverse design to the US treasury for consideration for the new dollar design.
These are photos of the only one of these I have ever seen. It was bought by the original owner at the Royal Hawaiian Mint in 1998. I was contacted by him in 2015 and he informed me he had it and might be interested in selling it. I secured it in February 2016 for a private collector who finally offered enough to make the sale happen. The air-tite capsule that contained this piece had never been opened since the piece was placed in it until I took these photos. It is stunningly perfect. Addendum 3/30/2016: The new owner had the piece graded by ANACS and it scored a PF69!
One of these auctioned on ebay for $1540 on 3/24/2013. It was PF69.
I acquired a third piece from another Hawaiian owner and sold it in a private sale for $2200 on 3/9/2016. It looked like another PF69 to me.
On 8/10/2026, I recovered the first piece I sold above at a cost of $5000.
Addendum;
In 2018, 100 pieces of this item were made from the original dies, but without the reeded edges. The smooth edges were serial numbered 1 - 100. These were done as a 20 year commemorative of the original and accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity. They are (or were) available at;
for $150 each.
All pieces on this page were created by Bernard von Nothaus except the Puerto Rico pieces which were created for the Alfredo Pacheco PR RCO
#0 Type I Reeded edge
Only about 23 of these original reeded edge pattern pieces were done at the Royal Hawaiian mint.
#0 Type II Serial numbered edge
Only 100 serial numbered reprints were done. Photo compliments of Matt Bloom.
#1 1998 - The original design.
SCARCE!
(highest auction $1725 5/9/2026 by nvliquidators)
The original reverse was short lived (3 months) because people did not understand the symbols and it was feared this would affect acceptance.
#1.5 1998 MA & Cert. of Authenticity
(Photos compliments of Sterling Ward)
This version of the 1998 shelter system piece was stamped with MA (monetary architect) in 2018 for the 20th anniversary of Liberty Dollar. They are original 1998 pieces that were seized by the FBI in 2007 and subsequently returned. I believe only 100 pieces were stamped and sold this way.
When these pieces first appeared for sale on ebay, it caused the appearance of a plentitude of 1998 pieces being available and it negatively impacted the value of original 1998 pieces. They are slowly regaining their true value since the MA stamped pieces are also hard to find now.
#2 1998/1999 DOUBLE DATE TYPE I small head
RARE!
(highest private sale $1200 4/12/2012 by Jeff K.)
This is not an error. The original obverse die was deliberately used with the new reverse for a short period (probably one 1000 piece run) until the new obverse die was ready.
#2.5 1998/1999 DOUBLE DATE TYPE I vs TYPE II ears
#2.5 1998/1999 DOUBLE DATE TYPE II large head
The sharp eyes of Sterling Ward (discoverer of #3.5) have discovered another rare variety! If he had not had both types lying on his table side by side, it is unlikely he would have made the discovery. If you look at either double date type by itself, you may not be sure which one you have. Therefore, Sterling and I have gone to great lengths to identify parameters that can be used to determine the difference. In the photos above, 1 and 4 are Type II. 2 and 3 are Type I. I enlarged the ear of each piece to try and help you see the difference. The ear is the only feature that is visibly different. You can almost see it better on the pieces. The ear of the Type II is slightly taller and narrower than the ear of Type I. The head on Type II is also visibly larger than the head on Type I. Sterling says that with them lying side by side, there is a visible difference in the mirror finish. Type II has what he calls a 'satin' finish, like the gorgeous mirror on the #0 pattern piece. The type I has a mirror like that of the #1. It appears that the die used for the #1 obverse was used on the #2 (Type I) and the die used on the #0 was used on the #2.5 (Type II). We can only speculate, but it is possible that the die used on #1 and #2 began to show wear and that instead of making a new die, Bernard elected to use a die he already had from producing the pattern pieces in Hawaii and thereby created the #2.5 Type II.
Using a caliper micrometer, you can measure from the tip of the crown to the bottom left corner of the neck and tell which piece you have.
The reverse on this piece is the same as the #2 reverse, or the 1999 reverse.
#3 1999 😁
($250 2/9/2026 by ebay seller DJ's closet)
This is the common year 1999 piece. Many thousands were made.
#3.5 2000 Type 1/2 (shallow GOD)
(only known private sale $1750)
Mintage of this piece is unknown but at least 1000 (minimum mint run). It was created when the new 2000 reverse was mated with a die made from the 1999 pattern. It was discovered in January of 2013 by Sterling Ward and confirmed by BVNH. I have never seen one and used the 1999 obverse photo and the 2000 block date reverse photo to create this representation. (see the shallow god close up below on the 6.5). The easiest way to tell this piece from the #5 is by the hair lock where it approaches the 'T' in trust. The lock touches the T near the ceenter on #5, but is further left and does not quite touch on #3.5. Also, the lettering on TRUST IN GOD is flattened on #3.5 and rounded on #5. Jaw relief is much deeper on #5.
#4 2000 Type I - 'GODless' obverse omission error.
SCARCE!
(highest known private sale $575 4/7/2012 by Jeff K.)
This error was really made by the die cutter, but the mint also failed to notice the omission. There was probably only one run of 1000 pieces done before the error was corrected.
#5 2000 Type II - block font date.
(highest known auction price $500 Jan. 2008 by Ron G.)
These pieces were surprisingly hard to find and commanded significant premiums until 2011 when several stashes surfaced. They can now be had nearly as easily as #3. Mintage is unknown, but it is at least 1000 and more likely two or three thousand.
#6 2000 Type III (sculpted GOD)😁
(highest auction price $578 4/18/2012 by seller loladirga)
This is the common year 2000 piece. Many thousands were made, since the piece was minted through 2001 and 2002 as well. This is the perfect example of don't be distracted by the record high prices. The record sale was for a scratched up piece. Who knows what drives some bidders. In my opinion, the seller calling the piece a proof was fraud. I had flawless pieces of this one for sale on ebay for $90 when this sale happened. Viewing at a sharp angle reveals a fully cut GOD, which BVNH calles a 'sculpted god", as opposed to a shallow god, I suppose. Note the hairlock solidly touches the T near the center of the top.
#6.5 2000 Type IV (shallow GOD)😁
(highest known private sale - $350 2/24/2018 by Jim D.)
Mintage of this piece is unknown but at least 1000 (minimum mint run). The 1999 obverse pattern was used to make a new die, but the word GOD was not engraved deeply enough, resulting in a distinguishable die variety. I was told about this piece by Jim in Virginia, but I had never seen one until Dana A. sent me one for verification. The obverse is very distinguishable from #6. The position of the T in TRUST and the hairlock are the most obvious (the lock does not touch the T and is way to the left on the 6.5), but the entire head is slightly smaller, the rim thinner and the detail in the hair is much less sharp. Also, the top tip on the crown does not touch the rim on the 6.5. When viewing at a sharp angle, part of the O in God vanishes.
List of distinguishable 2003 varieties
1. #7 - 2003 Small E thin rim Shallow God
2. #7.5 2003 Small E thin rim Sculpted God
3. #8 - 2005 Big E Short hair (thin rim)
4. #8.5 2003 Big E Long hair (thin rim)
5. #9 - 2003 Deep Dish off center strike (wide rim) (top bevel)
6. #9.5 2003 Deep Dish centered strike (wide rim)
7. #10 2003 Wide, Flat rim
8. #10.1 2003 Wide rim 360° Bevel Long hair
9. #10.2 2003 Wide rim 360° Bevel Short hair
10. #10.3 2003 Wide rim Bottom Bevel
#7 to #8.5 are all thin rim. The wide rims started with #9 and went forward from there.
I am still trying to confirm 1030 in the new book. You have to be very careful with the 360° bevel pieces because they can look like thin rim pieces with the small E. I do not have access to the piece they used in the book to say there was a thim rim short hair (1030), so I cannot tell if it was in fact a wide rim piece with a bevelled edge. The book says there was a mintage of 4500 on the 1030. If that is true, then I should be able to find one on ebay. I have never found one, so I doubt they exist. If anyone finds a true thin rim 2003 with a short hair lock, please send me a good photo of it. If you compare the rim on a Big E to the rim of any of the other later pieces by laying them on the table side by side, you will see that the true thin rim is quite different than a 360 bevel like #10.1 or #10.2, which can look like thin rim small E pieces.
#7 2003 Type I - small 'E' Shallow God😁
(highest known auction $544 4/18/2012 seller loladirga)
The shallow God die was not very deeply engraved at the top of the O in God. You have to look carefully, but If you tip it at different angles you should be able to see it. A close up photo can often reveal it better than your eye. There is an enlarged photo of it below.
Click here for a close up of the quickest way to otherwise tell. You can easily see the rough edge in the center of the neck just above the 'S' in USA. It is not there on #9. This is another example of don't be distracted by the record high prices. This record sale was for a scratched up piece. Who knows what drives some bidders. In my opinion, the seller calling the piece a proof was fraud. I had flawless pieces of this one on special sale on ebay for $70 when this sale happened.
Below is a close up of GOD showing the gap at the top of the O. The right side is a bit weak also. There is another shot showing the gap in the O on the page referenced above.
#7.5 2003 small 'E' sculpted God
This variety has a solid O in God and does not have the split in the top of it like the shallow God variety.
#8 2003 Type II - big 'E' short hair
This variety is called the big E because both lower corners of the E at the top touch the crown. This is the variety that was in production when I placed my first 1000 oz order. All but 20 of them were traded into the hands of people in Northern Indiana/Southwest Michigan. When the designer discovered the large size of the lettering and the entire head, he immediately stopped production and ordered a new die. I don't know how many 1000 oz runs were done with this die, but it was probably several.
#8.5 2003 Type II - big 'E' long hair 😁
($140 4/26/2026 by Billyboiiicoiiins whatnot)
Close up photos of long hair vs short hair are below.
I recently started thinking about the time period when so many long/short hair varieties popped up. It occurred to me to go to ebay and look at all the big E pieces that have appeared as of late. Sure enough, it didn't take long to spot a long hair variety. When I joined as a Michigan RCO in 2003, my very first order was for a 1000 piece brick that turned out to all be big Es with the short hairlock. I ordred the long hair piece I spotted on ebay to confirm it. Below are images saved from ebay on 1/31/24 for items 115937343453 (long hair on right) and 303584796715 (short hair on left). These images clearly show you can tell the difference in ebay photos.
The two excellent photos below are close up screen shots of two big E varieties listed by Coin Purse on Ebay. Item numbers are in the captions. The red circle on the right photo highlights a feature on some of the long hair varieties. There is a gap between the hairlock and the bun that is not present on any of the short hair varieties I have seen. You have to be very careful identifying short hair varieties. They can look like long hair pieces if the lighting is just right on them. I have also seen long hair varieties that DO NOT have the gap in the red circle.
Coin Purse ebay item 188489210391
Coin Purse ebay item 188489216379
#9 2003 Type III - deep dish off center😁
SCARCE!
Mintage 1000
(highest known private sale $300 4/18/2013 by Ron G.)
Note: I have seen several #7 sold on ebay recently (early 2016) as #9. Buyer beware! It is NOT easy to tell the difference. Read the instructions under #7 carefully, and look at this link I have provided.
Below is the text of an e-mail sent out by Bernard von NotHaus on 2/10/2004 regarding this variety.
The most easily noticed feature on this vaiety is the thin rim at the top. I have seen a couple of these on ebay and that thin rim at the top is how I could spot them.
"As most of you know we have strived since day one to provide a pocket-friendly Silver Liberty i.e. one without any sharp edges. Well after fifty plus experiments, we decided to produce a new obverse die with a WIDE rim and a SHADOW relief. Unfortunately, I just learned that the new die has the wide rim but the same beautiful deep relief. Plus the new die has already been put into production! And Sunshine has already shipped some Silver Libertys using the new die not knowing it was in error!!
Thus we have a Rarity in the Making! Sunshine will continue to mint and ship the new wide rim/deep relief error die until the new die is cut. This should be very soon but only a few thousand of this variety #9 of Silver Liberty will be minted. So if you have been considering getting some Silver Libertys, please consider ordering right now and put a couple of these away if you are interested. Recently a 1998 Silver Liberty was auctioned off at Liberty University for $200!!! Of course, I have no idea what this new error will be worth, but like the “2000 Un-godly Error” it may be worth more than the original 1998 Silver Liberty as fewer were minted."
#9.5 2003 Type III - deep dish centered
SCARCE!
Mintage 1000
Below, the top piece is a #9, which has the thin rim at the top. The bottom piece is one I found on ebay while searching for a possible #10 with long hairlock. If you spot a #10 (wide rim) with a long hairlock, it is most likely a #9.5. There is a very slight bevel at the top of the rim on the #9.5, but not nearly as much as the #9. If you look at the rim above the I in liberty, you will see that the rim is much wider on the #9.5. I confirmed the #9.5 by measuring with a caliper as described on the below page. The head on the #9 and #9.5 is smaller than all the other one ounce heads.
#10 2003 Type IV - wide flat rim
Mintage unknown
(highest auction $102.50 8/14/2011 ebay seller nvig8949)
You cannot mistake this piece. The rim is wide and flat as a pancake all the way around.
#10.1 2003 Type V - Wide rim 360° bevel Long Hair
Mintage unknown
The long hair lock is faint and hard to see if the light is not right. Also, probably an easier way to spot it is the area below the hair bun and between the neck and hairlock is not mirror finished. It almost looks filled, like some of the 1/4 ounce varieties. Below is a close up of the hair lock. This piece does not have the faint, torch tip 'wings' like #10.2.
#10.2 2003 Type VI - wide rim 360° bevel short hair😁
Mintage unknown
This piece has a pretty evenly beveled rim all the way around, unlike the deep dish, which is beveled mostly at the top.
There is an idicator on the reverse as well. The 'wings' on either side of the bottom tip of the torch will not show when viewed straight on, but tip it around to change the light and you should see them dissappear. Below is a close up of the faint 'wings'.
#10.3 2003 Type VI - wide rim bottom bevel
Mintage unknown
This piece has a wide flat rim with a 45° bevel at the bottom, similarly to how the #9 Deep Dish has a 45° bevel at the top.
#12 2005 $10 Type I (short hair lock) 😁
Many thousands of these were minted.
#12.5 2005 $10 Type II (long hair lock)
(Highest private sale 12/3/2021 $300 by Ron G.)
Mintage is unknown, but since Sunshine mint's policy was not to mint anything under a run of 1000 pieces, I suspect there are many out there in the hands of people who do not realize they have them.
This piece was discovered in May of 2013 by Mike Peters. He sent me one of the four pieces he had secured so that I could confirm its existence. I returned it to him. BVNH told me the piece did not exist even though I had it in my hand. He was convinced when Mike sent the piece to him as well. This is one of the actual pieces that BVNH mintmarked for Mike.
#13 2006 Puerto Rico Type I (short hair lock)
(GI $366 - 3/17/2012 private sale by Dave G.)
This was the first custom piece, minted at the behest of the Puerto Rico RCO Alfredo Pacheco. He paid for the reverse die and placed a large enough order to justify producing it (1000 pieces). The date and release number (#13) indicate that when the design was done, the anticipated release would be early 2006. The un-anticipated Thanksgiving 2005 move up to the $20 base made this design instantly obsolete and it was followed very shortly by #16. This photo shows that there were hallmarked and serial numbered pieces done. Carlos Maldonado sent me this photo of the #57 serial numbered piece.
#13.5 2006 Puerto Rico Type II (long hair lock)
($800 6/25/2026 by seller suthrn1)
It was confirmed for me on 12/15/2013 by Carlos Maldonado that both the short and long hair lock varieties of the 2006 Puerto Rico piece do exist. I had both varieties all along and never noticed it. There would be at least 1000 of each minted. Hallmarks and serial numbers were not done on Type II.
This site is maintained by Southwest Michigan collector Ron Goodger. If you see any errors on the site, please report them to Ron at;
lrgoodger ‘at’ gmail ‘dot’ com
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Since the introduction of the Liberty Dollar on October 1st of 1998 there have been many varieties of the one ounce Silver Liberty minted for distribution. There have also been very limited quantities of some of these varieties that were hand stamped with special hallmarks by Bernard von NotHaus, the "monetary architect" who invented the privately issued Liberty Dollar. They are cataloged on the 'Specially Marked Pieces' page.
Although the basic design of the obverse has not changed since the date was removed from the front with variety #3, carefully examining the different pieces reveals that there is quite a bit of variation from die to die. Examining the location of the first ‘T’ in the ‘TRUST IN GOD’ logo shows that it is sometimes closer to Miss Liberty’s neck than at others, and the lock of hair right above it is longer or shorter on certain dies, and there is the 'crooked GOD' obverse. Addendum: The date was returned to the obverse in 2007 and the Ron Paul Silver Liberty (variety #53) is the first and only piece on which the obverse deviates from the Liberty head design.
Addendum: The statement above turned out to be prophetic as evidenced by the addition of varieties 3.5, 6.5, 12.5 and 13.5 to the list below.
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