Is it possible that the ground has given up an extreme rarity?

Apparently threads were removed.

For the OP:

In two words:

Good Luck!

But, (hold on folks) I have to agree with Doug.

I have a feeling that it is simply a contemporary counterfeit.

Produced in base metal, or very low grade silver content.

As mentioned by Doug, the 'test marks' say a lot

 

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Rarity does not always equal extreme value; if it did many patterns would be trading for many multiples of what they do while even the tougher Morgans, Lincoln or Merc "keys" would be flat. With that said, I stand by my assessment. The coin, IF it were genuine, would most certainly be valuable, but just not six figures valuable, especially in this condition.

 

A quick overlay with a know genuine example, the date on the OP's example is too far left (and slightly high as mentioned by Condor). This alone, and beyond any other concerns, would indicate that the "coin" is simply not genuine.

 

@GDJMSP, who do you think put the "test punch marks" on it if it is fake? The counterfeiter or people who were trying to determine the authenticity?

 

So, a question. What *should* it weigh, given the wear and damage, if it is a genuine coin?

 

Wikipedia (I know, not the *best* resource...) reports the mass when minted was supposed to be 26.73 g with a diameter of 38.1 mm. I guess it is non-magnetic?

 

It is non-magnetic. That I can confirm. The diameter also appears correct. The grading companies won't encapsulate counterfeits, even if they are originals from the era, will they?

 

Probably started off as one of these
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1853-O-SEATED-LIBERTY-HALF-DOLLAR/661056810.html

 

ICG will slab them, as a counterfeit, for educational purposes.

 

Mintmark position is off slightly and the date is much too low to be the source for the OP coin.

 

or another similar die from the Orient
try heating a pin or needle and touching it to the coin

 

And the purpose of this 'test' is . . . ?

 

won't hurt it if it's silver

 

Even though a quick and imperfect job, perhaps this will add to the points/observations made earlier.

 

that's a whacky looking date! looks like my dime.

 

Are we still discussing the 1853O half? Weight = 13.36 grams and 30.6 mm +/- tolerances.

 

These numbers should sound familiar to you, but not for an LS half.

 

I looked in the red book and PCGS for the correct weight, etc. 30 mm and 13.36 grams. The diameter does measure up, but not sure about the weight just yet. I'm assuming if genuine, it will be slightly under 13.36. I guess one thing would be for sure, if it's over weight then there's no way it's real. Are the old/new counterfeits typically under weight?

I have also noticed that 1853-O with arrows and rays is only supposed to weight 12.40 grams, which is the opposite that I thought would be the case. Does that sound right?