1855-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows. WB-2. Rarity-5. EF-40 (PCGS).

1855-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows. WB-2. Rarity-5. EF-40 (PCGS). Moderately toned around the peripheries, this overall lightly circulated retains bold strike detail to most features as well as appreciable softly frosted luster. Demand for silver coins during the Gold Rush in California was extremely high, and silver bullion could not be purified to the exacting standards required for coinage without the necessary parting acids - in short supply as the Gold Rush tested the fragile delivery systems then in place from East to West. The incoming director of the Mint in 1854, James Ross Snowden, sent pairs of half dollar dies to the San Francisco Mint that year, but these were not used for coinage. At last, a local source was found that could supply the necessary parting acids and coinage of half dollars began in 1855. To celebrate, three Proofs were struck of this denomination, one resides at the Smithsonian, the other two are in private hands. The circulation strike mintage largely entered commerce through normal channels, where most coins were worn out and subsequently lost. Circulated survivors with minimal wear such as this are rare and enjoy even greater demand as the 1855-S is not only the first San Francisco Mint half dollar issue, but also the only one of the brief Arrows, No Motto Liberty Seated design type. PCGS# 6284. NGC ID: 24JR. Click here for certification details from PCGS. Image with the PCGS TrueView logo is obtained from and is subject to a license agreement with Collectors Universe, Inc. and its divisions PCGS and PSA.

Estimate:£0.75

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