Numismatic

1861 Liberty Seated Half Dollar VF

---

The year 1861 stands as a monumental turning point in American history, and this silver half dollar offers a tangible connection to that era. Minted in Philadelphia, the coin is composed of 90 percent silver, containing 0.3575 troy ounces of precious metal. It represents a classic era of United States coinage, carrying a face value of 50 cents. On the obverse, the design by Christian Gobrecht features Lady Liberty seated upon a rock. In her left hand, she supports a staff topped with a liberty cap, while her right hand rests on a shield emblazoned with the word LIBERTY. The date 1861 is clearly inscribed below her feet, anchoring the piece in its historic moment. The reverse displays a powerful eagle with wings spread, perched upon an olive branch and clutching three arrows. A shield is positioned across the bird's chest, symbolizing national defense and unity. Surrounding this central image are the bold inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination HALF DOL., completing a design that was struck 2,888,400 times.