Numismatic

1858-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar Good

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Struck in the years before the American Civil War, the 1858 half dollar from the New Orleans Mint offers a tangible look at mid-nineteenth-century United States coinage. This fifty-cent piece is composed of 90 percent silver, containing 0.3575 troy ounces of the precious metal. While this specific example shows honest wear consistent with its Good grading, including some areas where the outer rims may appear weak, the core elements of its historic design remain recognizable. On the obverse, the design by Christian Gobrecht presents Lady Liberty in a seated position. She holds a staff topped by a liberty cap in one hand while her other hand rests on a shield. The reverse side features a perched eagle with a shield emblazoned across its chest. In its talons, the eagle grasps an olive branch and three arrows, symbolizing a readiness for both peace and defense. Below the eagle, the 'O' mint mark identifies this coin as a product of the historic New Orleans facility, accompanied by the denomination abbreviated as 'HALF DOL.'