1861-O Half Dollar SS Republic, W-11A, Shipwreck Effect Confederate States Issue. 1861-O 50c Seated Liberty Half Dollar, SS Republic. This exciting offering combines a fascinating coin with the romance of a historic shipwreck treasure. The 1861-O half dollar is perhaps one of the most interesting issues in all of U.S. numismatics.

Struck at the New Orleans Mint at the outset of the Civil War, this date was actually issued by 3 different governments throughout the course of the year! The United States, the State of Louisiana, and the Confederate States of America all struck half dollars during the calendar year 1861 in New Orleans. Prior to the secession of Louisiana from the Union, half dollars were struck as normal by the United States at the New Orleans Mint. Upon secession, state authorities seized the Mint and continued to strike coins until the Confederate Government took control later in the year and produced half dollars until the supply of silver on hand was exhausted.

Painstaking study has been conducted to identify 15 distinct die marriages that can be associated with the respective governments. The piece offered here is die state W-11A and was issued by the Confederate States of America making it highly prized by collectors. To further amplify the appeal, this piece was part of the remarkable treasure recovered from the SS Republic in 2005 which had been lost in a hurricane some 138 years earlier.

Attributed and certified by NGC as being issued by the Confederacy, this piece is remarkably well preserved and beautiful with only very minor shipwreck effect (as the impact of over a century at the oceans bottom was fortunately very slight). With excellent eye appeal, this handsome and important CSA issued half is a must for any serious Civil War based or shipwreck treasure oriented collection. Truly this is a piece of American History!!