Numismatic

1861-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar NGC (SS-Republic Shipwreck)

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This silver half dollar, carrying the 1861 date and the O mint mark of the New Orleans facility, represents a turbulent era in American history. The obverse features the classic depiction of Liberty seated, holding a staff topped with a cap, alongside a shield. On the reverse, an eagle clutching an olive branch and arrows bears a shield on its chest. Beyond its striking design, this coin has an extraordinary maritime history. It was aboard the steamship S.S. Republic when a powerful hurricane sank the vessel on October 25, 1865. The ship remained lost at the bottom of the sea for nearly 140 years until its discovery in August 2003. Following its recovery from the deep ocean floor, this coin underwent careful conservation and was subsequently encapsulated by a professional grading service, preserving its remarkable journey from the Civil War era to the modern day.