1860-O Liberty Seated Silver Half Dollar — New Orleans Mint

1860-O Liberty Seated Silver Half Dollar — New Orleans Mint

Own a remarkable piece of pre-Civil War American history with this 1860-O Liberty Seated Silver Half Dollar, struck at the historic New Orleans Mint just one year before the outbreak of the American Civil War.

The Liberty Seated Half Dollar series was produced from 1839 through 1891 and represents one of the longest-running designs in classic United States silver coinage. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the series circulated through some of the most transformative decades in American history.

The 1860-O issue is especially interesting because of its connection to the final full year of federal coin production at New Orleans before Louisiana's secession in January 1861. The New Orleans Mint would subsequently operate under Louisiana and Confederate authority before closing during the Civil War.

The obverse features Lady Liberty seated upon a rock, holding a shield inscribed LIBERTY and a staff topped with a Phrygian cap. Thirteen stars surround the design, representing the original American colonies, with the date 1860 positioned beneath Liberty.

The reverse displays a heraldic American eagle with a shield upon its breast, holding an olive branch and arrows. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOL. surround the design, while the O mint mark identifies the New Orleans Mint.

The 1860-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar belongs to the No Motto design period, before the addition of IN GOD WE TRUST to the reverse in 1866.

Struck in 90% silver, this historic half dollar contains approximately 0.3866 troy ounces of pure silver and offers collectors an appealing combination of precious-metal content, classic American artistry, and Southern branch-mint history.

Whether collected as part of a Liberty Seated Half Dollar series, a New Orleans Mint collection, or a broader collection of pre-Civil War United States coinage, the 1860-O half dollar represents a tangible connection to a pivotal period in American history.

Product Details

• Denomination: Half Dollar ($0.50 USD)

• Year: 1860

• Mint: New Orleans (O Mint Mark)

• Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollar (1839–1891)

• Type: No Motto, No Arrows

• Original Mintage: 1,290,000 business strikes

• Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

• Weight: 12.44 grams

• Diameter: 30.6 mm

• Actual Silver Weight (ASW): Approximately 0.3600 Troy Ounces

• Designer: Christian Gobrecht

• Obverse: Seated Liberty holding a shield and liberty pole, surrounded by thirteen stars

• Reverse: Heraldic eagle with shield, olive branch, and arrows

• Mint Mark Location: Reverse, beneath the eagle

• Edge: Reeded

• Condition: See product photographs for the exact coin offered

• Quantity: One individual coin

Please Note: This listing is for one specific 1860-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.