1864 Seated Liberty Half Dollar - Ma-Bo 57 Masonic Temple Boston Emancipation

Coin Details

Description

Seated Liberty half dollar overstruck with a Masonic design, produced in Boston during the Civil War era. These pieces were created by counterstamping or overstriking U.S. silver half dollars with Masonic lodge imagery, combining numismatic interest with fraternal significance. The Masonic Temple in Boston was a prominent civic landmark, and Masonic lodges played significant roles in Northern civic and military life during the war. Cataloged as Marvin-Bolen 57. The host coin — a Seated Liberty half dollar — adds intrinsic silver value to the numismatic premium. The Civil War coin shortage began in late 1861 when Americans hoarded gold, silver, and eventually copper coins. Private die sinkers and token manufacturers filled the gap, producing millions of cent-sized pieces that merchants accepted as substitutes for federal coinage. The token era demonstrated that private enterprise could quickly fill a monetary gap when the government proved unable to maintain adequate circulating coinage.

Rarity Notes

Marvin-Bolen 57. Masonic overstrike half dollars are scarce, combining Civil War token, Masonic numismatics, and Seated Liberty half dollar collecting specialties.

Cross References

Marvin-Bolen 57