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The 1854-O Seated Liberty Half Dime in Very Fine (VF) condition is a desirable mid-19th century silver coin, struck at the New Orleans Mint during a period of growing westward expansion and economic development in the United States. As part of the long-running Seated Liberty Half Dime series (1837–1873), the 1854-O issue reflects both the regional output of the New Orleans facility and the evolving design features of U.S. coinage during the antebellum period. In VF condition, this coin retains strong central detail and appealing surfaces that illustrate its long history of circulation while preserving much of its artistic character.
The obverse of the 1854-O Seated Liberty Half Dime features Christian Gobrecht’s classic depiction of Liberty seated on a rock, facing left. She holds a liberty pole topped with a Phrygian cap in her left hand and rests her right hand on a striped shield inscribed with the word “LIBERTY.” The 1854 date appears centered at the bottom of the design, and thirteen stars representing the original colonies arc around the rim. In Very Fine condition, Liberty’s full outline is sharp, and key details such as the folds of her gown, the pole, and parts of the shield lines are visible. The stars around the rim are complete but show moderate wear, and the date is fully legible and well-defined. Some softness may appear in the high points of Liberty’s figure, but overall the coin retains good eye appeal.
The reverse displays a laurel wreath tied with a bow enclosing the denomination “HALF DIME” in bold letters. Around the perimeter is the legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” The small “O” mintmark, signifying the New Orleans Mint, appears just below the bow of the wreath, between it and the bottom rim. On a VF example, the wreath’s leaves retain much of their definition, especially along the edges, though some central leaf detail may be flattened. The bow knot is visible, and the legends are complete and strong. The fields may show light wear and minor contact marks typical of coins that circulated for decades but were still preserved reasonably well.
Struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, the 1854-O half dime weighs 1.34 grams and measures 15.9 millimeters in diameter. It has a reeded edge and was struck on a closed-collar press using dies engraved at the Philadelphia Mint and shipped to New Orleans for coining. This issue is part of the “arrows at date” subtype, as small arrows appear on either side of the date to indicate a change in silver weight standard that occurred in 1853. Though the weight reduction technically began the prior year, arrows continued to be used in 1854 and 1855 to visually mark the new standard. These arrows are clear and well-formed on a VF specimen, adding an important diagnostic element to the piece.
The New Orleans Mint, which operated intermittently from 1838 to 1861, played a significant role in striking coinage for commerce in the southern and western regions of the expanding United States. The 1854-O half dime had a mintage of approximately 2,240,000 pieces, a healthy output for the denomination but not excessively high. Surviving examples are found most often in circulated grades, with Very Fine being a collectible mid-grade that offers visible detail and historical character without the premium commanded by Extremely Fine or Mint State coins.
The Seated Liberty Half Dime series was designed by Christian Gobrecht, with various modifications occurring over the decades. The 1854 issue belongs to the “Arrows at Date” subtype, which is popular with collectors because it marks an official and visible change in coin standards. This short-lived subtype (1853–1855) is often collected separately or included in specialized type sets. The presence of a mintmark from New Orleans also makes the coin appealing to collectors focused on branch mint issues or assembling complete “O-mint” runs.
In VF condition, this coin exhibits moderate wear across high points but retains most of the design elements. Liberty’s shield and gown still show considerable texture, and the reverse wreath remains defined and well-formed. The coin may show signs of honest use—light rim wear, subtle toning, or small abrasions—but remains pleasing to the eye and structurally sound. Collectors value VF examples for their affordability relative to higher grades and their ability to convey both artistry and historical usage.
Coins from this era circulated widely in daily commerce, and the 1854-O would have been used for everyday transactions such as purchasing goods in general stores or paying fares. As silver coinage was hoarded or exported during later financial crises, many of these small denomination coins were lost or melted, making well-preserved survivors from southern mints especially interesting. The coin is also notable for being minted just seven years before the outbreak of the Civil War, a time when the New Orleans Mint would be seized by the Confederacy and repurposed for southern coinage production in 1861.
The 1854-O Seated Liberty Half Dime in Very Fine condition is ideal for collectors assembling a 19th-century type set, a branch mint series, or a complete run of Seated Liberty half dimes. Its “arrows at date” subtype, southern mint origin, and solid mid-grade condition make it a rewarding and historically rich piece. It stands as a testament to the artistry and utility of early U.S. silver coinage and provides a tangible connection to antebellum America and its evolving coinage standards.