USA ½ dollar Seated Liberty Half Dollar 1855
USA, New Orleans
Rarity
Common
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | ½ dollar |
| Krause number | KM# 82 |
| Mintage | 3,688,000 |
| 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
This issue was coined in large numbers, and examples are plentiful across all grades though MS 64. The dies were run heavily, and repeated polishing to extend their utility diminished many of the shallower details of the design (e.g. no drapery at Liberty's left elbow). The Philadelphia Mint's engraving department shipped 16 die pairs to New Orleans for this production. Of course, the undated reverses of earlier years may have remained usable and may be counted in the 19 die marriages confirmed. The only variety of note features a mintmark that first was punched horizontally and then corrected. That die was paired with two different obverses, but the value lies solely in the reverse oddity. Like 1854-O, three collars have been observed with 141, 143 or 148 reeds, respectively. This is of interest only to dedicated specialists, but it does remind collectors that coins have three sides, not two.Read More
