½ Dollar "Seated Liberty Half Dollar" without date arrows (1861) — United States

Overview

A silver ½ Dollar coin of the United States, issued as part of the Standard circulation coins series. The obverse features Seated Liberty looking right above her shoulder, with a cap on a stick and a shield, 13 stars around. The reverse depicts an Eagle with arrows and olive branch in talons. Designed by Christian Gobrecht. The coin is composed of silver (.900) (.100 copper), has a reeded edge, and weighs 12.44 grams. Minted in 1861 at the United States Mint of New Orleans (mintmark O) with a mintage of 2,532,633 pieces.

Specifications

Country

United States

Year

1861

Composition

Silver (.900) (.100 copper)

Weight

12.44 g

Diameter

30.6 mm

Thickness

2.15 mm

Mint

United States Mint of New Orleans

Mintmark

O

Shape

Round

Technique

Milled

References

KM#A68, PCGS# 6287-6303, 6306-6315, etc.

Issuer

United States

Design details

Collector insights

• Design heritage: Christian Gobrecht is credited as the designer for the Standard circulation coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
• Struck at: United States Mint of New Orleans (mintmark O). Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
• Mintage vs. survival: A moderate mintage of 2,532,633. Grade rarity is usually the driver of value here — mid-grade circulated pieces are common, but original-surface uncirculated coins can command a strong premium.
• Precious metal content: Silver (.900) (.100 copper) — bullion value provides a price floor, and many circulated examples were melted during the 1979–1980 and post-2010 silver spikes, reducing the surviving population.
• Catalogue reference: Listed as KM#A68, PCGS# 6287-6303, 6306-6315, etc.. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

Related pieces

Explore more

Browse more items in the full catalog or view United States in the country guide.