Numismatic

1861 Liberty Seated Half Dollar AU

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This half dollar from 1861 represents a classic era of United States silver coinage. Struck with a purity of 0.900 silver, the coin contains approximately 0.36 troy ounces of precious metal. It stands as a physical testament to the artistry of the Philadelphia Mint during a pivotal year in American history. The obverse features the celebrated Liberty Seated motif, envisioned by Christian Gobrecht. Liberty is shown 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". The year 1861 is clearly anchored at the bottom of the design. On the reverse, a powerful eagle is depicted with a shield draped across its chest. The bird grips an olive branch and a bundle of arrows in its talons, representing the dual themes of peace and readiness. Surrounding the eagle are the inscriptions denoting the issuing nation and the face value, abbreviated as "HALF DOL."