1855 Seated Liberty Half Dollar

About This Coin

The 1855 Seated Liberty Half Dollar is a United States half dollar from the Seated Liberty Half Dollars 1839-1891 series — 17th of 53 years in the series. In 1855, coins were struck at the Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco Mints with a combined mintage of 5.3 million. This ranks 43rd of 53 years by total mintage, above the series median of 2.1 million. The obverse features Liberty seated on a rock, holding a pole surmounted by a Phrygian liberty cap in her left hand and a shield inscribed LIBERTY in her right and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. Struck during the California Gold Rush era, when vast quantities of western gold transformed the American economy and led to new denominations. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 12.4 grams, 30 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Across its variants, estimated values range from $83 to $63K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $115K in MS67 grade at Stack's Bowers. Designed by Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht.