1861 (S) Seated Liberty Half Dollar
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$30,550 MS66 09-29-2016 Legend Rare Coin Auctions
Description
The 1861 (S) Seated Liberty Half Dollar represents a San Francisco Mint issue from the Seated Liberty Half Dollars 1839-1891 series. The U.S. Mint produced 939,500 examples, making this the lowest mintage among 5 mint variants, representing only 9% of total production. 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. Confederate and Union forces both struck half dollars at New Orleans, making 1861-O provenance significant. Coined at the San Francisco Mint, which transitioned from Gold Rush-era production to its modern role producing proof and collector issues. Estimated market value ranges from $96 to $3.7K depending on grade and condition. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 12.4 grams, 30 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #6306.
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