Numismatic

1859-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar Fine

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Struck in 1859, this silver half dollar represents a fascinating era of American coinage. Minted at the New Orleans facility, as indicated by the prominent 'O' mint mark, the coin contains 0.3866 troy ounces of silver with a purity of 0.900. It survives today in Fine condition, showing honest wear that tells a story of its time in active circulation before the American Civil War. The obverse features Christian Gobrecht's classic design of Lady Liberty seated on a rock. In her hands, she supports a staff topped with a liberty cap, while her other hand rests on a shield inscribed with the word LIBERTY. The year 1859 is positioned clearly beneath her feet, anchoring the design in a pivotal moment of nineteenth-century history. On the reverse, a powerful eagle is depicted with a shield across its chest. The bird grips an olive branch and a bundle of three arrows in its talons, symbolizing both peace and readiness. Surrounding the central image are the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination, expressed as HALF DOL.