1861 O 50C Seated Liberty Half Dollar NGC SS Republic Shipwreck Effect

Product Description

An 1861 New Orleans (O) Seated Liberty silver half dollar that was recovered from the SS Republic graded genuine 'Shipwreck Effect' by NGC and comes with an aftermarket wooden display box and COA. This piece displays a white silver color/tone with abraded or 'pickled' surfaces from long term salt water exposure and excellent visible details. The total mintage for this date & mint: 2,532,633. Please view our photos for additional information and ask any questions prior to purchase.

The Seated Liberty half dollar denomination was a silver half dollar minted from 1839-1891. Designed by Christian Gobrecht based off of the sketch works of Thomas Sully and Titan Peale, the half dollar consisted of a depiction of the Goddess of Liberty in the seated position holding a shield marked ‘LIBERTY’ with the date below, and a pre-flight eagle (wings outstretched) grasping an olive branch. A shield also appears on the breast of the eagle. Mint marks, if visible, are below the eagle and above ‘50 CENTS’ marked on the bottom field of the coin. Throughout the years of it’s production, the Seated Liberty half dollar underwent several design changes and mint marks, resulting in numerous varieties on this denomination. Initial strikes were .900 silver, .100 copper, weighed a total of 13.36 grams and featured a reeded edge and 30.6 mm diameter. In 1853, the total weight was reduced to 12.44 grams and in 1873 the weight was increased to a total of 12.50 grams. This would remain the same until the end of this patterns mintage in 1891.