1861 Seated 50C (1861 Half Dollar) ANACS EF40. Seated Half Dollar. This Civil War dated 1861 Half Dollar is graded EF40, but it could easily have been given an AU grade. Virtually no wear is seen on Libertys kneecaps, arms, or head. We see the outline of the clasp on her shoulder and the garment line from the clasp to her hair. Details of her clothing are sharp, and her foot is clearly separated from her sandal. No wear is seen on the eagles neck and only a trace is present on the eagles wing tips, in keeping with the higher grade.

The obverse depicts Liberty seated looking over her shoulder to the left. She balances the Union Shield inscribed LIBERTY with her right hand and holds a staff on which is placed a Phrygian cap in her left. There are seven stars to the left and six to the right interrupted by her head and the capped pole. The dated is below. The reverse shows the heraldic eagle looking left. It is surrounded by the required inscription and the denomination written as HALF DOL. below. Dentils are around the periphery of both sides.

The 1861 is a Variety 1 type (resumed) with a weight standard of Variety 2, 12.44 grams. The various varieties of the Liberty Seated half dollar were used mostly to show changes in weight.