1855-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar (1839-1891)
FS-501
Key Features
FS-501: O over Horizontal O [Cross-ref: WB-1] Source: https://www.greysheet.com/prices/sp/liberty-seated-half-dollars/8955 A sprawling series that survived the Gold Rush and Civil War. Features Christian Gobrecht's classic Seated Liberty design.
Intriguing History
In 1855, sectional tensions over slavery were pushing the country toward crisis -- the Dred Scott decision, the Panic of 1857, and violent conflict in "Bleeding Kansas" all unfolded in these years, while the Mint retired the old large copper cent for a smaller, more efficient coin. This Seated Liberty half dollar was doing the heavy lifting of American commerce as a large silver coin through exactly this period. This one came from the New Orleans Mint, the Mint's southern branch on the Mississippi River.