1866 Liberty Seated Silver Half Dollar — With Motto

1866 Liberty Seated Silver Half Dollar — With Motto

Own a remarkable piece of 19th-century American numismatic history with this 1866 Liberty Seated Silver Half Dollar, struck during the early Reconstruction era following the American Civil War.

The Liberty Seated Half Dollar series was produced from 1839 through 1891 and remains one of the most recognizable designs in classic United States silver coinage. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the series reflects the artistic traditions and national symbolism of early American coinage.

The obverse features Lady Liberty seated upon a rock, holding a shield inscribed LIBERTY in one hand and a staff topped with a Phrygian cap in the other. Thirteen stars surround the design, representing the original American colonies, with the date 1866 positioned beneath Liberty.

The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings, holding arrows and an olive branch. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOL. surround the eagle.

The year 1866 marked an important design transition for the Liberty Seated Half Dollar, with the addition of the national motto IN GOD WE TRUST on a ribbon above the eagle. This modification reflected the growing prominence of the motto on United States coinage following the Civil War.

Struck in 90% silver, the 1866 Liberty Seated Half Dollar combines historic American artistry, precious-metal content, and significance as an early With Motto issue.

Product Details

• Denomination: Half Dollar ($0.50 USD)

• Year: 1866

• Mint: Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)

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

• Variety: With Motto

• Original Mintage: 744,900 business strikes

• Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

• Weight: 12.50 grams

• Diameter: 30.6 mm

• Actual Silver Weight (ASW): 0.3617 Troy Ounces

• Designer: Christian Gobrecht

• Obverse: Seated Liberty holding a shield and liberty pole

• Reverse: Heraldic eagle with IN GOD WE TRUST motto above

• Edge: Reeded

• Condition: See product photographs for the exact coin offered

• Quantity: One individual coin

Please Note: This listing is for one specific 1866 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.