½ Dollar "Seated Liberty Half Dollar" without date arrows


Silver (.900) (.100 copper)	12.44 g	30.6 mm

Description

Issuer	United States
Period	Federal republic (1776-date)
Type	Standard circulation coin
Years	1856-1866
Value	½ Dollar = 50 Cents (½&nbspUSD)
Currency	Dollar (1785-date)
Composition	Silver (.900) (.100 copper)
Weight	12.44 g
Diameter	30.6 mm
Thickness	2.15 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Coin alignment ↑↓
Updated	2024-10-09

References

Numista	N#14904
Rarity index	17%

Reverse

Eagle with arrows and olive branch in talons

Script: Latin

Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HALF DOL.

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Comment

The standard weight of these coins was 192 grains.

1861O

1866S

Information about the 1861-O half dollar:
2,532,633 half dollars were struck in the New Orleans, Louisiana Mint in 1861, using dies prepared by the Philadelphia Mint and sent to New Orleans in December 1860. Only 330,000 were struck while the New Orleans Mint was under the control of the United States of America (USA) government (in January 1861). Another 1,240,000 were struck after Louisiana left the Union (USA), but before they joined the Confederate States of America (CSA). At least one source has indicated that they were struck with the approval/permission of the CSA Government. 962,633 were struck after Louisiana joined the CSA. Since the coins were struck with U.S. Mint dies, to the standards of USA coins (and using the same staff that had worked for the Mint under USA control), the USA decided to permit the coins to remain in circulation after the Civil War (war between the USA and the CSA). A sequence of die usage has been researched, which indicates which coins were struck under USA control. On average, only 1 of 8 pieces was minted for the USA. One obverse die used while the New Orleans Mint was operating under the CSA government had a die crack running from Liberty's nose to the edge. Coins with this crack can be positively attributed to the CSA. This die was also used for one side of the Confederate shield half dollars.

Interesting fact

The Seated Liberty Half Dollar was designed by Mint Engraver Christian Gobrecht and was minted from 1856 to 1866. It's interesting to note that this coin was minted during a time of great change and turmoil in the United States, with the Civil War taking place during this time period. Despite the challenges of the time, the Seated Liberty Half Dollar remained a popular coin and was widely used in circulation.

Price

Date	Mintage	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC
1856	938000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1856 O	2658000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1856 S	211000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1857	1988000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1857 O	818000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1857 S	158000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1858	300	-	-	-	-	-	-
1858 O	7294000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1858 S	476000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1859	800	-	-	-	-	-	-
1859 O	2834000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1859 S	566000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1860	1000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1860 O	1290000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1860 S	472000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1861	1000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1861 O	2532633	-	-	-	-	-	-
1861 S	939500	-	-	-	-	-	-
1862	550	-	-	-	-	-	-
1862 S	1352000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1863	460	-	-	-	-	-	-
1863 S	916000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1864	470	-	-	-	-	-	-
1864 S	658000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1865	500	-	-	-	-	-	-
1865 S	675000	-	-	-	-	-	-
1866	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
1866 S	60000	-	-	-	-	-	-

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for ½ Dollar "Seated Liberty Half Dollar" (without date arrows) 1856-1866 coin.