1861-O SEATED 50C LA ISSUE
SSR SHIPWRECK EFFECT B-UNC
SS SHIPWRECK TREASURE COIN - 1861-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar recovered from the SS Republic Civil War Shipwreck, Graded NGC Shipwreck Effect. This Rare Civil War Era Shipwreck Silver Coin Was Struck for Just One Month, when Louisiana seceded from the Union. The New Orleans Mint was seized by State Militia on January 31, 1861. The State of Louisiana minted half dollars until February 9, 1861, when the Confederate States of America is formed with Jefferson Davis, as president.The 1861-O Liberty Seated Half Dollars is one of the most popular and collected Liberty Seated Half Dollar dates, because they are the only U.S. silver coins minted with the same date/design by 3 different governments: United States of America (Union), State of Louisiana (LA), and Confederate States of America (CSA). This genuine Civil War issue silver half dollar was struck by the State of Louisiana at the New Orleans Mint on Federal dies in February 1861.
This magnificent 1861-O Silver Seated Liberty Half Dollar was minted at the historic New Orleans Mint 157 years ago, before the Civil War. 15 years later, it became part of the much-needed cargo headed South for New Orleans after the Civil War, aboard the SS Republic, a side-wheel steamer that was lost in a hurricane off the coast of Georgia, October 25th, 1865. 51,000 coins and over 14,000 artifacts were recovered from the SS Republic shipwreck, a Civil War-era side-wheel steamship en route from New York to New Orleans that sank in October 1865 after battling a hurricane for two days, with cargo of $400,000 in coins.
138 years later, the shipwreck was discovered by Odyssey Marine Exploration in 2003, resting at bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in 1,700 feet of water. Certified and graded "Shipwreck Effect" by NGC (Numismatic Guarantee Corporation), which is the unique result of more than a century of time submerged, and the fascinating chemical reaction of the oceans salt water on the silver in the coins. This shipwreck effect enhances the intricate details of this rare and beautiful historic artifact with a beautiful patina.
This coin has the pedigree of being part of the largest treasure trove of U.S. coins in history. This coin is beautifully preserved due to the fact that it was locked in a time capsule at the bottom of the Atlantic for nearly 140 years. Certified and graded NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) Shipwreck Effect condition, (B) UNC. (a coin showing evidence of light surface disturbance from immersion in saltwater, and may have some areas of moderate disturbance, not affecting central design elements. This coin possesses above-average eye appeal for shipwreck recovery coin.)
Specifications
* Date: 1861
* Metal: 12.44 grams silver
* Purity: .900
* Diameter: 30.6 mm
* Grade/Condition: NGC Shipwreck Effect (B) UNC
* Mint Mark: O ? Louisiana issue
* Service: NGC
