Numismatic

1866 Liberty Seated Half Dollar AU

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In 1866, the Philadelphia Mint produced a run of 2,888,400 silver half dollars, each containing 0.3575 troy ounces of precious metal. This particular issue, preserved in Almost Uncirculated condition, represents a fascinating moment in American coinage. The coin is struck in 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper, a traditional composition that gave these mid-nineteenth-century coins their durability and distinct luster. The obverse design, created by Christian Gobrecht, presents a graceful depiction of Liberty. She is shown seated on a rock, holding a staff topped with a liberty cap in one hand while her other hand rests upon a shield inscribed with the word LIBERTY. The year 1866 is clearly struck below the figure, anchoring the coin to its historical era. On the reverse, a powerful eagle is depicted with a shield across its chest, grasping three arrows in its talons alongside an olive branch. Surrounding the central image are the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination, expressed as HALF DOL. This piece offers observers a direct look at the artistic standards and craftsmanship of the United States Mint during the reconstruction era.