Recovered from the wreck of the SS Republic, this 1855-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar carries a remarkable story beneath its silver surfaces. The New Orleans Mint struck this Arrows around Date variety only from 1853-1855, when Congress mandated the addition of arrowheads to mark a change in the coin's silver content. Shipwreck coins from the SS Republic represent one of the most celebrated underwater recoveries in American numismatic history.

The obverse presents a well-struck seated figure of Liberty, draped in classical robes and resting against a striped shield inscribed LIBERTY. She holds a pole topped with a Liberty cap in her right hand, while thirteen stars encircle the field and the date 1855 appears at the base flanked by the distinctive arrowheads. The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with spread wings, clutching an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arching above and HALF DOL. below, the New Orleans mintmark O visible beneath the eagle.

NGC certified this coin with its Shipwreck Effect designation, acknowledging the characteristic surface texture imparted by years of immersion in the Atlantic Ocean. The devices retain clear definition throughout, and the coin presents an honest, ocean-toned appearance consistent with its documented provenance from the SS Republic. For those seeking a historically resonant piece that combines a classic 19th-century American type with compelling shipwreck provenance, this coin delivers on both counts. We have three examples available for this date, similar the one pictured here.

For questions about this coin or to confirm availability and pricing, call us at 800-928-6468.

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