Numismatic

1859 Liberty Seated Half Dollar XF

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In 1859, the Philadelphia Mint produced a silver half dollar that showcases one of the most enduring design eras in United States coinage. This fifty-cent piece, struck in 90% silver, carries a total silver weight of 0.3599 troy ounces (with a total silver content of 0.3868 ounces). The coin survives today in an Extremely Fine, or Almost Uncirculated, state of preservation, allowing us to appreciate the intricate details of its mid-nineteenth-century artistry. The obverse of the coin displays the Liberty Seated motif, a celebrated creation of Christian Gobrecht. Liberty is depicted resting on a rock, holding a staff topped with a liberty cap in one hand while her other hand supports a shield inscribed with the word "LIBERTY". Below this central figure, the year 1859 is clearly struck. On the reverse, a powerful eagle is depicted perched upon a branch, clutching three arrows in its talons. A shield is positioned over the eagle's chest, echoing the theme from the obverse. Surrounding this central image are the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the denomination "HALF DOL.", completing a design that represents a classic era of American numismatic history.