1861 (O) Seated Liberty Half Dollar - Special Strike

Coin Details

Auction Record

$97,750 SP64 04-01-2008 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1861 (O) Seated Liberty Half Dollar - Special Strike is a special strike half dollar struck at the New Orleans Mint, part of the Seated Liberty Half Dollars 1839-1891 series. With a mintage of only 1,000, this is an extremely rare issue. 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, while the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. Designed by Robert Ball Hughes and Christian Gobrecht. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, 30 mm in diameter. Cataloged as PCGS #6422. The Seated Liberty Half Dollar was produced over more than 50 years across multiple subtypes reflecting weight changes and motto additions. Carson City Mint issues are especially sought after. The 1878-S is a condition rarity, and the 1853-O "No Arrows" is extremely rare with only four known.