USA ½ dollar Seated Liberty Half Dollar 1861
USA, Philadelphia
Rarity
Common
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | ½ dollar |
| Krause number | KM# A68 |
| Mintage | 2,887,400 |
| 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
The minting of half dollars in Philadelphia finally rebounded in 1861, after modest production during the two preceding years. this issue is very common across all grades through MS-64. The great availability of MS and AU coins is due mostly to widespread hoarding of all silver and gold coins following the onset of America's Civil War this same year. The nation's banks suspended specie payments (gold and silver coin) by the end of that year, as the newly-issued USA and CSA paper currency was not redeemable on demand. It quickly depreciated, driving all precious metal coinage from circulation. Since unworn 1861(P) half dollars are found sharply struck from unworn dies, this issue is a favorite with collectors seeking a high grade type coin. Some 24 die marriages had been identified by Wiley and Bugert, these comprised of 24 obverses and a like number of reverse dies. An amazing total of four different collars were revealed. These have reed counts of 143, 145, 152 or 153. This is the first year in which all of the reverse dies used were taken from the new hub of 1858 with its shallow relief and long base to letter L in HALF. A minor repunched date (RPD) is the only variety known, a remarkable situation given the large number of dies needed for this production.Read More
