[The following article is published courtesy of DLRC Press and its authors, Randy Wiley and Bill Bugert. This information was originally published in 1993 in The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dollars.]

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MINTAGE: 1,290,000

PROOFS: None.

VARIETIES:

• Authors’ Research Effort: substantial

• Number of Die Marriages Documented: 14

• Number of Head Dies Identified: 8

• Number of Tail Dies Identified: 7

• Number of Collar Reed Counts Identified: 1 (140)

• Standard Diameter or Diameter Range: 1.194 to 1.202 inches

• Number of Major Varieties: 5

• WB-101. TAIL HUB VARIETY 1, NORMAL REVERSE. (2 TAIL DIES)
  This is the last year of use for this hub variety at the New Orleans Branch Mint. About one-third of the marriages for this date are from the variety 1 hub. One die is transitional with 1859-0. Tail hub indentification criteria is contained in Chapter 1, subtype IV. (Breen-4897)
• WB-102. TAIL HUB VARIETY 1, WEIRD VERTICAL STRIPES. (1 TAIL DIE)
  This tail die is paired with 2 head dies and named for its uniquely abnormal vertical shield stripes. The die had most vertical stripes reengraved causing multiple, non-parallel shield lines in addition to the regular stripes. Certain coins of this variety have a shelf-doubled mintmark not to be confused with the recut mintmark listed as W-l05. (Breen-Unlisted)
• WB-103. TAIL HUB VARIETY 2, NORMAL REVERSE. (2 TAIL DIES)
  This is the first use of the hub variety 2 at New Orleans. Most marriages for this date were from this hub. (Breen-4898)
• WB-104. TAIL HUB VARIETY 2, EAGLE LAYING EGG. (1 TAIL DIE)
  The mintmark is struck high into the crotch between the olive branch and the feather tip. It is the only New Orleans tail die with a mintmark actually touching the stem which accounts for its inclusion in our WB listing. There are two head dies paired with this tail die which was descriptively nicknamed by variety specialist Charlton Meyer. (Breen- Unlisted)
• WB-105. TAIL HUB VARIETY 2, RECUT MINTMARK. (1 TAIL DIE)
  The mintmark of this tail die is slightly recut northwest. Doubling is visible within the upper left inside loop of the 0. There are 2 head dies paired with this tail; they are distinguished by the date placement and die cracks. (Breen-Unlisted)

COMMENTS:

• Most 1860-Os are struck with a lot of detail; however, there are coins available as a result of die wear or polishing with weak/no draperies and/or weak foot supports.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Christie’s auctioned fifteen certified 1860-Os, all apparently from Tail Hub Variety 2 (and possibly the same die pair) in September 91.