Numismatic

1847-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar VF

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Struck in the antebellum era at the New Orleans Mint, this 1847 silver half dollar showcases one of the most enduring motifs in American coinage. The obverse features the figure of Liberty resting on a rock, grasping a staff topped by a freedom cap, while her other hand supports a shield inscribed with the word LIBERTY. This design, conceived by Christian Gobrecht, represents a classic era of United States coin design. On the reverse, a powerful eagle is depicted with a shield across its chest, clutching an olive branch and a trio of arrows in its talons. This 50-cent piece contains 0.3866 troy ounces of silver, with a fineness of 0.900. Surviving in Very Fine condition, the coin displays clear details of its intricate design and the historical O mint mark, offering a tangible connection to the monetary history of the mid-nineteenth century.