Numismatic

1871-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar Good

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In 1871, the San Francisco Mint struck this silver half dollar, carrying a design that defined an entire era of American coinage. Composed of 90 percent silver, this fifty-cent piece represents the artistry of Christian Gobrecht, whose work graced multiple denominations during the nineteenth century. The obverse features Lady Liberty seated upon a rock, holding a staff topped with a liberty cap, while her other hand rests on a shield. This depiction of Liberty was a staple of American pocket change for decades. On the reverse, an eagle is shown perched on a branch, grasping three arrows in its talons, with a shield emblazoned across its chest. Legible inscriptions on the coin include the denomination expressed as HALF DOL. and the country name, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The year 1871 is stamped below the seated figure of Liberty, and the S mint mark on the reverse denotes its origin at the San Francisco facility.