1865-S Liberty Seated Silver Half Dime — San Francisco Mint

1865-S Liberty Seated Silver Half Dime — San Francisco Mint

Own a fascinating piece of Civil War-era American numismatic history with this 1865-S Liberty Seated Silver Half Dime, struck at the historic San Francisco Mint during the final year of the American Civil War.

The Liberty Seated Half Dime was produced from 1837 through 1873 and represents an important chapter in early United States silver coinage. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the series circulated during a period of westward expansion, political upheaval, and significant economic transformation.

The 1865-S Liberty Seated Half Dime is an especially interesting branch-mint issue. While the American Civil War disrupted commerce and coin circulation throughout much of the country, the San Francisco Mint continued producing silver coins to serve the economy of the American West.

The obverse features Lady Liberty seated upon a rock, holding a shield inscribed LIBERTY and a staff topped with a Phrygian cap. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the design, with the date 1865 positioned beneath Liberty.

The reverse features a wreath composed of agricultural elements surrounding the denomination HALF DIME. The S mint mark identifies production at the San Francisco Mint.

The San Francisco Mint was established in 1854 following the California Gold Rush and played a crucial role in converting precious metals from western mining operations into United States coinage.

With an original mintage of 120,000 business strikes, the 1865-S Liberty Seated Half Dime is a relatively low-mintage issue that holds particular appeal for collectors of early American silver and San Francisco Mint coinage.

The year 1865 carries exceptional historical significance, marking the conclusion of the American Civil War and the beginning of the Reconstruction era. Coins struck during this pivotal year provide a tangible connection to one of the most consequential periods in United States history.

Struck in 90% silver, this historic half dime contains approximately 0.0362 troy ounces of pure silver. Despite its small size, the coin represents an important denomination that circulated in the United States before the five-cent nickel became the standard.

Whether collected as part of a Liberty Seated Half Dime date-and-mint-mark set, a Civil War-era coin collection, or a broader collection of historic United States silver, the 1865-S Half Dime offers an appealing combination of scarcity, history, and classic American design.

Product Details

• Denomination: Half Dime ($0.05 USD)

• Year: 1865

• Mint: San Francisco (S Mint Mark)

• Series: Liberty Seated Half Dime (1837–1873)

• Type: Legend on Obverse

• Original Mintage: 120,000 business strikes

• Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

• Weight: 1.24 grams

• Diameter: 15.5 mm

• Actual Silver Weight (ASW): Approximately 0.0362 Troy Ounces

• Designer: Christian Gobrecht

• Obverse: Seated Liberty holding a shield and liberty pole, surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

• Reverse: Wreath surrounding the denomination HALF DIME

• Mint Mark Location: Reverse, beneath the wreath

• Edge: Reeded

• Condition: See product photographs for the exact coin offered

• Quantity: One individual coin

Please Note: This listing is for one specific 1865-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.