Numismatic

1857 Liberty Seated Half Dime Good

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In the decade preceding the American Civil War, the Philadelphia Mint produced a tiny silver treasure: the 1857 half dime. Struck in 90 percent pure silver, this five-cent piece contains just 0.0387 troy ounces of precious metal, yet it carries an incredibly detailed design that showcases the artistry of nineteenth-century American coinage. The front of the coin features a classic representation of Liberty seated on a rock. In her hands, she holds a shield and a staff topped with a liberty cap, symbols of vigilance and freedom. The year 1857 is clearly struck beneath her feet. On the reverse, a delicate wreath frames the words indicating the coin's value, surrounded by the name of the issuing nation. This particular specimen survives in Good condition, showing the honest wear of a coin that actively circulated in pre-Civil War America.