Numismatic

1856-O Liberty Seated Quarter VG

---

Struck in 90 percent silver at the southern branch mint in Louisiana, the 1856-O Liberty Seated quarter represents a fascinating era of American coinage. This twenty-five cent piece, graded in Very Good condition, carries a net silver content of 0.1788 troy ounces. Its survival through the decades offers a tangible link to the years leading up to the American Civil War. The obverse features a classic representation of Liberty seated and looking toward the left. In her hand, she holds a staff topped with a Phrygian cap, a symbol of freedom. This central figure is framed by thirteen stars along the rim, representing the original colonies, with the year 1856 inscribed below. On the reverse, a heraldic eagle faces left, clutching an olive branch of peace and three arrows of defense. The legend reads UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and the denomination is abbreviated at the bottom as QUAR. DOL. Directly beneath the eagle, the distinct O mint mark signifies its origin at the historic New Orleans Mint.