1861-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar NGC AU53. Non Shipwrecked effect (No salt water damage) half dollars like these are scarce and in great demand ! Consider for a moment what was happening in 1861 the first year of the Civil War at the New Orleans Mint ! Here is a lovely specimen, choice about uncirculated and a great historical numismatic find.

 

1861-O 50c Seated Liberty Half Dollar, NGC AU53, CAC. The 1861-O half dollar is perhaps one of the most interesting issues in all of U.S. numismatics. Struck at the New Orleans Mint at the outset of the Civil War, this date was actually issued by 3 different governments throughout the course of the year! The United States, the State of Louisiana, and the Confederate States of America all struck half dollars during the calendar year 1861 in New Orleans.

 

Prior to the secession of Louisiana from the Union, half dollars were struck as normal by the United States at the New Orleans Mint. Upon secession, state authorities seized the Mint and continued to strike coins until the Confederate Government took control later in the year and produced half dollars until the supply of silver on hand was exhausted.

Painstaking study has been conducted to identify 15 distinct die marriages that can be associated with the respective governments. The piece offered here was issued by the Unites States. Some experts believe this to be the rarest of the three types as the majority of 1861 the Mint was under other than Union control.

This example is well struck, boldly defined, and seemingly conservatively graded. The devices are sharp and majestic and retain luster within the protected areas. The steel silver gray fields are smooth and clear and free from major abrasions or impairments. Only very modest wear is present. CAC has reviewed, approved, and affixed its seal of approval to this fine specimen attesting to its superior quality. The 1861-O half dollar is a must for any serious Civil War collection and the piece offered here is most certainly a PQ specimen with above average eye appeal.