The 1861‑O Seated Liberty Half Dollar is one of the most historically charged coins in American numismatics. Struck at the New Orleans Mint during the volatile opening months of the Civil War, this issue reflects a rare moment when coinage continued under shifting political control. Following Louisiana’s secession from the Union, the mint operated first under state authority and then under the Confederate States of America, using existing federal dies to strike coins that now carry layered provenance.

The FS‑401 die pair—identified by the distinctive “Speared Olive” reverse—has long been associated with the Confederate phase of production. The obverse features Liberty seated with shield and pole, surrounded by thirteen stars and the date “1861.” The reverse shows an eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch, with a diagnostic die crack piercing the olive cluster. This die pairing is one of the few physical links to Confederate coinage, and its attribution has been the subject of decades of scholarly research. The crack itself is not merely mechanical—it is symbolic, marking a moment when federal dies were repurposed under a new flag.

Mint records suggest that approximately 2.5 million half dollars were struck at New Orleans in 1861, but only a fraction can be confidently tied to Confederate authority. Coins bearing the FS‑401 diagnostics are among the most studied, as they offer a glimpse into a mint operating under secessionist control. Their survival in Mint State is rare, and each example carries the weight of both numismatic and national history.

This particular specimen, graded MS62 by PCGS, was once part of the renowned Eugene H. Gardner Collection. Gardner’s cabinet was known for its depth in 19th-century U.S. coinage, and his 1861‑O CSA half dollar stood out for its preservation and provenance. When offered at auction in 2015, it drew strong interest from collectors and historians alike, underscoring the coin’s dual appeal as both a Civil War artifact and a numismatic rarity.

The “Speared Olive” diagnostic remains central to the coin’s identity. It is not merely a die crack—it is a forensic marker that helps distinguish coins struck under Confederate control from those produced earlier in the year. For advanced collectors, this distinction elevates the coin from historical curiosity to centerpiece status, especially when paired with Mint State preservation. Its presence in a collection signals not just rarity, but a direct connection to one of the most turbulent chapters in American history.

The 1861‑O CSA Seated Liberty Half Dollar stands as a tangible relic of a fractured nation. It bridges federal design with Confederate execution, and its continued study reflects the enduring fascination with Civil War-era coinage. Whether viewed through the lens of history, politics, or artistry, it remains one of the most evocative and consequential coins ever struck on American soil.