1875–1877-S 50 Cents Silver Seated Liberty VG

Vintage Silver Half Dollars from the Old West

During the glory days of the Old West, these Seated Liberty Silver Half Dollars circulated widely. Prior to 1878, it was the largest silver coin issued for circulation by the U.S. Mint, struck in 12.5 grams of 90% silver. These particular coins come dated between 1875 and 1877 – more than 140 years ago – and feature the famous “S” mint mark of the San Francisco Mint. Just think of the history these coins represent. These were the years that really put the “Wild” in the “Wild West!”

• In 1875, the Mason County War broke out after a mob broke into a prison in central Texas and lynched a low-down, dirty gang of cattle rustlers. Later that year, a determined force of Texas Rangers proved that you don’t mess with Texas when they successfully fought a small army of Mexican bandits for the return of stolen cattle in a battle that has since become known as the Las Cuevas War.
• In 1876, General Custer and the 7th Cavalry lost their hair to a coalition of Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. That same year, “Wild Bill” Hickok was shot in the back by the cowardly Jack McCall while playing poker in Deadwood, Dakota Territory. This was also the year Jesse James and his gang were shot all to pieces while attempting to rob a bank in Northfield, Minnesota.
• The year 1877 saw 17-year-old Henry McCarty – better known as Billy the Kid – kill his first man. It also saw the ascension of Bat Masterson from one-time buffalo hunter to the sheriff of Dodge City. That summer also witnessed Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce Indians ride circles around U.S. Army forces sent out to catch them until finally being captured just 40 miles from Canada. He surrendered saying, “I will fight no more forever.”

Known for its incredible quality, the San Francisco Mint also struck fewer Seated Liberty coins compared to other mints. For example, the Philadelphia Mint struck nearly 10 million more of these coins between 1875 and 1877! Your coin will arrive in Very Good (VG) condition. Date varies.