USA ½ dollar Seated Liberty Half Dollar 1866
USA, Philadelphia
Rarity
Extremely Rare
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | ½ dollar |
| Krause number | KM# 99 |
| Mintage | 725 |
| 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
Collectors evidently became aware of the addition of the motto IN GOD WE TRUST this year, as proof sales rose strongly over those of 1865. One or more versions of this sentiment had been kicking around the Treasury Department since 1863, and the adopted version debuted on the new two-cent piece in 1864. It was applied to all silver and gold coins large enough to accommodate it starting with 1866. This issue is comparable in overall availability to other proof half dollars of the late 1860s. Gems are rare, with certified Cameo examples being very so. Walter Breen recorded two obverse dies for the 1866 proof half dollar. It's possible that more than one reverse was used, but the lack of a hand-punched feature, such as a date, requires closer study to discern them.Read More
