Numismatic

1860-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar AU

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In the year 1860, the New Orleans Mint struck this silver half dollar, a denomination containing 0.3575 troy ounces of 90 percent pure silver. This particular specimen survives in an impressive Almost Uncirculated state, preserving the fine details of a mid nineteenth century American coin. The New Orleans origin is marked by the letter O, which is situated on the reverse side of the piece. The obverse features the iconic Seated Liberty design created by Christian Gobrecht. Liberty is depicted resting on a rock, holding a pole topped with a liberty cap in one hand while her other hand supports a shield inscribed with the word LIBERTY. Below her feet is the date 1860. On the reverse, an eagle holds three arrows in its talons and perches on an olive branch. A shield is positioned across the bird's chest, surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination HALF DOL. With a total mintage of 1,290,000, this coin represents a fascinating moment in the history of the southern mint just before the outbreak of the American Civil War.