USA ½ dollar Seated Liberty Half Dollar 1861
USA, New Orleans
Rarity
Common
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | ½ dollar |
| Krause number | KM# A68 |
| Mintage | 2,532,633 |
| Metal | Silver 0.900 |
| diameter | 30.6 mm |
| weight | 12.44 g |
Obverse:
Liberty
Star
Creators:
Christian Gobrecht
LIBERTY
Reverse:
Coat of arms
Creators:
Christian Gobrecht
HALF DOL.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Introduction of Coins
A generous mintage, wartime hoarding and the discovery of an immense undersea treasure have made the 1861-O half dollar a common coin across all grades. Only at the gem Mint State level is this coin rare. The year 1861 was a momentous one, and the New Orleans Mint found itself right at the center of the drama. Seized by the State of Louisiana shortly after it seceded from the Union, the mint was later turned over to the Confederate government based in Montgomery, Alabama (later relocated to Richmond, Virginia). Throughout this period the mint continued to strike silver half dollars and gold double eagles from existing supplies of bullion until the mint finally ceased coining operations May 14, 1861. Numismatic research in later years determined that the number of half dollars coined under authority of the United States of America, all struck during January, was 330,000. Another 1,240,000 pieces were produced by the State of Louisiana during February and March, and some 962,633 half dollars were struck under the CSA during April. It is thus possible to collect 1861-O half dollars from all three authorities, though identification of the specific die pairs for each is challenging work requiring unworn and undamaged specimens. A total of 15 die marriages are known for this issue, these being the products of six each obverse and reverse dies. Two marriages have been dated to the USA period, six more to the State of Louisiana and another seven to CSA authority. All 1861-O half dollars were coined with one or more collars having 140 reeds, and all display the Type 2 reverse adopted in 1858. Aside from the many die marriages, collectible varieties for this issue are minor and limited. Of most interest is the die pairing on which a distinct crack is visible from the bridge of Liberty's nose to the border. Of the several marriages assigned to the CSA period, this is the only one that is immediately recognizable, as the same obverse die was used to coin the four half dollars bearing a distinctive reverse of unique design engraved for the CSA. Recovery of the treasure that had been aboard the steamship Republic, which sank of the coast of Georgia in 1865, revealed many thousands of 1861-O half dollars and lesser number of earlier issues. Though most show the effects of saltwater immersion to varying degrees, the hoard has further added to the already generous supply of this date.Read More
