USA ½ dollar Seated Liberty Half Dollar 1854
USA, New Orleans
Rarity
Common
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | ½ dollar |
| Krause number | KM# 82 |
| Mintage | 5,240,000 |
| 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 very high mintage for this issue has made it a common entry in the series across all grades through MS 64. Popular as a two-year-only type coin (the reverse rays were omitted 1854-55), the 1854-O half dollar is in more demand than would exist among date/mint collectors alone. Most pieces were well made overall, but die cracks are fairly common. As testament to the great number of dies required for such production, the New Orleans Mint destroyed 55 obverses at the end of the year and 32 reverses. While not all of these were used, some 58 die marriages are known from the pairing of 41 obverses and 29 reverses. These vary only in small details, and no collectible varieties are noted. Three different reed counts may be found---141, 143 or 148 reeds, respectively.Read More
