HALF DIME 1853-1855 Arrows at Date

Description

Even during this period in history, silver hoarding was prevalent. Thus the need to dramatically increase the number of coins minted and decreases the official weight from 20.625 grains to 19.2. In 1853 the Liberty Seated design was modified by the addition of tiny arrowheads to the left and right of the date, to signify a decrease in the authorized weight. These arrows remained in place through 1855, after which they were discontinued.

The obverse depicts Liberty seated on a rock, holding in her left hand a liberty cap on a pole and with her right hand holding a shield. Stars are above, and the date, with an arrowhead on each side, is below. The reverse is the same as used earlier and consists of an open wreath enclosing HALF DIME with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounding.

Of the total coins minted, the majority, 13,210,000, were struck in Philadelphia in 1853. The highest mintage for any earlier half dime date since the inception of the denomination was 2,760,000, or less than a quarter of this figure, back in 1835.

Valuation

The numismatist will have no difficulty in acquiring an example of this design in any desired grade from Good through AU. Uncirculated pieces are elusive, and superb Uncirculated pieces are scarce. The tremendous demand for them on the part of type set collectors has resulted in the supply being widespread.

COIN NAME
HALF DIME 1853-1855 Arrows at Date: DESIGNED BY
Christian Gobrecht: ISSUE DATE
1853-1855: COMPOSITION
0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper: DIAMETER
15.5 mm: WEIGHT
19.2 grains: EDGE
Reeded: BUS MINT
25,060,020: PROOF MINT
Fewer than 150

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