½ Dollar "Seated Liberty Half Dollar" without date arrows

Features

Issuer United States
Period Federal republic (1776-date)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 1856-1866
Value ½ Dollar = 50 Cents (0.50 USD)
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 ↑↓
Number N# 14904
Numista type number (https://en.numista.com/help/what-is-the-n-number-visible-in-the-catalogue-33.html)
References KM# A68
Tracy L. Schmidt (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins / 2001-Date (14th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA.
And 5 more volumes.

Obverse

Seated Liberty looking right above her shoulder, with a cap on a stick and a shield, 13 stars around

Lettering: 1860

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Christian Gobrecht was the third Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1840 until his death in 1844. He was responsible for designing the famous "Seated Liberty" designs, which were in turn the direct inspiration for the design of the Trade Dollar.

Reverse

Eagle with arrows and olive branch in talons

Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HALF DOL.

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Christian Gobrecht was the third Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1840 until his death in 1844. He was responsible for designing the famous "Seated Liberty" designs, which were in turn the direct inspiration for the design of the Trade Dollar.

Edge

Reeded

Mints

United States Mint, Philadelphia, United States (1792-date)
O United States Mint, New Orleans, United States (1835-1942)
S United States Mint, San Francisco, United States (1854-date)

Comments

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.

See also

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Date Mintage G VG F VF XF AU UNC Frequency
1856  938 000 7%
1856  0.8% Proof
1856 O 2 658 000 $ 63 14%
1856 S 211 000 0.8%
1857  1 988 000 9%
1857  0.8% Proof
1857 O 818 000 4%
1857 S 158 000 1.0%
1858  4 225 700 14%
1858  300 1.8% Proof
1858 O 7 294 000 $ 25 $ 42 $ 42 $ 69 $ 137 29%
1858 S 476 000 3%
1859  747 200 3%
1859  800 0.8% Proof
1859 O 2 834 000 $ 96 10%
1859 S 566 000 1.8%
1860  302 700 1.5%
1860  1 000 0.8% Proof
1860 O 1 290 000 4%
1860 S 472 000 3%
1861  2 887 400 $ 77 $ 83 11%
1861  1 000 1.0% Proof
1861 O 2 532 633 9%
1861 O 0.5% Minted by the CSA, distinguished from other 1861 O coins by an obverse die crack
1861 S 939 500 4%
1862  253 000 0.8%
1862  550 0.5% Proof
1862 S 1 352 000 $ 28 8%
1863  503 200 2%
1863  460 0.8% Proof
1863 S 916 000 3%
1864  379 100 1.8%
1864  470 0.8% Proof
1864 S 658 000 3%
1865  511 400 1.5%
1865  500 0.8% Proof
1865 S 675 000 2%
1866  1 0.8% Not a regular issue
1866 S 60 000 1.5%

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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Numista Rarity index: 21 Search tips
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

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