Coin

½ Dollar "Seated Liberty Half Dollar" without date arrows (1863) — United States

United States • 1863 • KM#A68, PCGS# 6287-6303, 6306-6315, etc.

½ Dollar "Seated Liberty Half Dollar" without date arrows (1863) — 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 1863 at the United States Mint of Philadelphia with a mintage of 503,200 pieces.

Specifications

Country
United States
Year
1863
Composition
Silver (.900) (.100 copper)
Weight
12.44 g
Diameter
30.6 mm
Thickness
2.15 mm
Mint
United States Mint of Philadelphia
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 Philadelphia. 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 503,200. 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

During 1863, the United States remained embroiled in the Civil War, which significantly impacted the circulation of precious metal coinage. While the Philadelphia Mint continued production of the silver half dollar, widespread hoarding caused most silver coins to disappear from the channels of commerce in the North. This necessitates looking at the issue as both a circulating piece of currency and a store of value during a period of extreme economic instability and internal conflict.

Design heritage

Christian Gobrecht designed the Seated Liberty motif, drawing inspiration from British neoclassical iconography and the earlier work of Thomas Sully. The obverse features Liberty seated with a staff and pileus, representing freedom, while the reverse depicts a heraldic eagle clutching symbols of war and peace. This specific 1863 issue precedes the 1866 addition of the 'In God We Trust' motto above the eagle, maintaining a design continuity started in the late 1830s.

Varieties and technical notes

The 1863 Philadelphia issue is characterized by the absence of arrows at the date, a feature that was previously used between 1853 and 1855 to denote weight changes. Collectors should inspect the reeded edge for consistency and check the 13 stars on the obverse for any signs of doubling or weak strikes common in mid-century steam-press production. Although primarily a circulation strike, a small number of proof specimens were also produced for contemporary collectors.

Survival and modern availability

With a mintage of 503,200, the 1863 half dollar is considerably more scarce than its contemporary San Francisco counterparts of the same era. Many examples were lost to circulation wear or melted during subsequent silver recalls, making high-grade Mint State examples difficult to locate. The survival rate was also affected by the hoarding of silver during the war, which preserved some pieces in mid-range grades, though many show evidence of cleaning or environmental damage from long-term storage.

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