HALF DIME 1853-1855 Arrows at Date - More Details
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.
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