Numismatic

1854 Liberty Seated Half Dollar w/Arrows VF

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In 1854, the Philadelphia Mint produced a striking silver half dollar that captures the artistic spirit of mid-nineteenth-century American coinage. This particular coin, preserved in Very Fine condition, showcases the iconic Liberty Seated design created by Christian Gobrecht. On the obverse, Liberty is depicted sitting, holding a staff topped with a liberty cap in one hand while her other hand rests upon a shield. Flanking the 1854 date are two prominent arrows, a design element unique to this specific era of the series. The reverse of the coin displays a powerful eagle perched upon a branch, clutching three arrows in its talons. A shield is positioned across the eagle's chest, mirroring the theme of national strength and defense seen on the obverse. The legible inscriptions surrounding the reverse design include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the denomination "HALF DOL." Struck from 0.900 fine silver, this coin contains 0.3575 troy ounces of precious metal. Because it was minted in Philadelphia, it does not bear a mint mark, distinguishing it from branch-mint issues of the same year. This half dollar stands as a fascinating artifact of early American silver coinage, illustrating both the aesthetic preferences and the minting standards of the 1850s.