Recovered from the wreck of the SS Republic, this 1857-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar carries a story no mint-fresh coin can match. The Republic sank in a hurricane off the Georgia coast in October 1865, taking its cargo of coins to the ocean floor for nearly 140 years. Odyssey Marine Exploration recovered the wreck in 2003, and NGC certified surviving coins with its distinctive Shipwreck Effect designation.

The obverse presents the classic Seated Liberty design, with the allegorical figure of Liberty seated on a rock, holding a pole topped with a Liberty cap and resting her left hand on a striped shield inscribed LIBERTY. Thirteen stars arc around the field, and the date 1857 appears below. The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with spread wings, clutching an olive branch and bundle of arrows, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and HALF DOL. below, with the O mintmark for New Orleans clearly visible beneath the eagle.

NGC has certified this coin with the Shipwreck Effect designation, recognizing its ocean provenance and the characteristic surfaces that result from prolonged saltwater exposure. The fields show the muted, lightly etched texture typical of Republic survivors, while the major design elements remain bold and fully legible. This coin appeals to collectors of Seated Liberty coinage, Civil War-era Americana, and shipwreck history alike. For those seeking a certified piece of genuine maritime history tied to one of the most celebrated wreck recoveries in modern times, this 1857-O half dollar is a compelling choice. 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.