Coin

½ Dollar "Seated Liberty Half Dollar" without date arrows (1862) — United States

United States • 1862 • KM#A68, PCGS# 6287-6303, 6306-6315, etc.

½ Dollar "Seated Liberty Half Dollar" without date arrows (1862) — 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 1862 at the United States Mint of San Francisco (mintmark S) with a mintage of 1,352,000 pieces.

Specifications

Country
United States
Year
1862
Composition
Silver (.900) (.100 copper)
Weight
12.44 g
Diameter
30.6 mm
Thickness
2.15 mm
Mint
United States Mint of San Francisco
Mintmark
S
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
KM#A68, PCGS# 6287-6303, 6306-6315, etc.
Issuer
United States

Design details

Obverse

Seated Liberty looking right above her shoulder, with a cap on a stick and a shield, 13 stars around

Reverse

Eagle with arrows and olive branch in talons

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 San Francisco (mintmark S). 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 1,352,000. 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.

Curator Insights

Historical context

Issued during the second year of the American Civil War, this 1862 half dollar was struck amidst a period of significant economic hoarding. While silver coinage remained in circulation on the West Coast due to the prevalence of the gold standard there, it largely disappeared from commerce in the East, replaced by fractional currency notes and tokens. This San Francisco strike represents the continuing output of the branch mint during the conflict.

Design heritage

The Seated Liberty motif was executed by Christian Gobrecht, who drew inspiration from the neoclassical aesthetics favored in the early 19th century. The obverse presents Liberty seated on a rock with a shield and phrygian cap, while the reverse depicts a heraldic eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch. This specific 1862 issue lacks the 'In God We Trust' motto, which was not added to the reverse design until 1866.

Varieties and technical notes

Collectors should look for the 'S' mint mark located on the reverse below the eagle's claws to confirm the San Francisco origin. The edge is reeded, and the coin was produced using the standard milled technique of the era. Professional examination should focus on the detail of the shield and Liberty's head for evidence of strike quality, as branch mint strikes of this period can vary in sharpness.

Survival and modern availability

With a mintage of 1,352,000, this issue was produced in significant quantities compared to other Civil War dates, yet many were lost to circulation attrition or silver melts. While mid-grade examples appear occasionally in the market, pieces in true Mint State are remarkably scarce. Survival rates were impacted by the heavy commercial use of silver in the Western territories before the transition to new designs in subsequent decades.

More from United States

Other ½ Dollar "Seated Liberty Half Dollar" without date arrows issues

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