USA ½ dollar Seated Liberty Half Dollar 1864
USA, San Francisco
Rarity
Uncommon
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | ½ dollar |
| Krause number | KM# A68 |
| Mintage | 658,000 |
| 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 San Francisco Mint's output of half dollars continued to decline this year, and 1864-S is a scarce coin across all grades. Mint State pieces are genuinely rare, though a small number of gems have survived. There may have been more, if the Guatemala Hoard coins that surfaced in the 1950s had been properly conserved. Instead, they were severely scrubbed and have an unnatural look, while retaining sharp details. The Philadlephia Mint's engraving department shipped 11 obverse and five reverse dies to California. Typical of the period, few of these were used. The obverses were destroyed at the end of the calendar year, while the reverses were held over for subsequent years. The adoption of the motto IN GOD WE TRUST rendered all surviving reverses obsolete in 1866. Wiley and Bugert have identified five die marriages representing the use of four each obverse and reverse dies. One old reverse die that probably dated to the 1850s was employed for the Large S variety (WB-101), and this was the final use of the Type 1 hub. The others feature the Small, Wide S first seen in 1862. One die has this letter in perfect condition, but the other two show a flawed S that is partially broken at its top. All 1864-S half dollars were coined with a 141-reed collar.Read More
