United States 1871 half dollar

from the Molly Malone Collection

The production of Seated Liberty half dollars commenced in 1839. As the accompanying Seated Liberty silver dollar was produced in only minimum quantities, half dollar mintages are large. In 1866, the motto "In God We Trust" was added and this subtype was produced until the weight was adjusted in 1873. Philadelphia (shown here), Carson City and San Francisco all contributed in 1871 but the Philadelphia issue was the largest.

Recorded mintage: 1,204,560, a common date.

Specification: 12.44 g, 0.900 fine silver, .360 troy oz ASW, reeded edge, designed by Christian Gobrecht.

Catalog reference: KM 99.

Source:

• Alexander, David T., Coin World Comprehensive Catalog & Encyclopedia of United States Coins, Sidney, OH: Amos Press, 1995.
• Breen, Walter H., Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins, New York: Doubleday, 1987.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Wiley, Randy, and Bill Bugert, The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dollars, Virginia Beach, VA: DLRC Press, 1993.
• Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.

Link to:

• 1865 half dollar
• 1871 cent
• 1871 dime
• 1871 3 dollars
• 1871-S 20 dollars
• 1873 half dollar
• return to United States Seated Liberty Half Dollars (1839-1891)
• Coins and currency dated 1871