Numismatic

1865-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar Fine

---

Struck in the historic year of 1865, this silver half dollar from the San Francisco Mint represents a fascinating era in American coinage. Composed of 90 percent silver with a precious metal weight of 0.3575 troy ounces, the coin is a surviving example of a mintage of 675,000 pieces. It carries the 'S' mint mark, indicating its origin from the West Coast branch mint. The obverse features Christian Gobrecht's renowned design of Liberty seated. She holds a staff topped with a liberty cap in one hand while resting her other hand upon a shield inscribed with the word 'LIBERTY'. The year 1865 is clearly struck below the seated figure. On the reverse, an eagle is depicted perched on a branch, grasping three arrows in its talons. A shield is positioned across the eagle's chest, surrounded by the inscriptions representing the nation and the half-dollar denomination. This Fine condition specimen offers a tangible look at mid-nineteenth-century American engraving and manufacturing.