Numismatic

1856-O Liberty Seated Dime VF

---

Struck in the antebellum South, this 1856 silver dime from the New Orleans Mint represents a classic era of American coinage. The coin is composed of 90 percent silver, containing approximately 0.0715 troy ounces of precious metal. Preserved in Very Fine condition, it offers a clear look at mid-nineteenth-century minting artistry. The obverse side displays the iconic figure of Liberty seated upon a rock. In her hands, she supports a shield and a staff topped with a Phrygian cap, a traditional symbol of freedom. The year 1856 is anchored firmly at the bottom of the design, which was originally created by Christian Gobrecht. On the reverse, the words "ONE DIME" are featured prominently within a lush laurel wreath. Just beneath this wreath sits the distinctive "O" mint mark, indicating its origin at the historic New Orleans facility. This simple yet elegant combination of wreath and denomination highlights the practical beauty of early United States fractional currency.