After the weight of half dimes, dimes, quarters, and half dollars was adjusted under the Coinage Act of 1853, arrows were placed on each side of the date to indicate the new standard. Before the weight of the half dimes was altered, a limited number of pieces were struck under the old standard at both the Philadelphia and New Orleans Mint facilities.
The 1853-O Liberty Seated Half Dime, No Arrows (Buy on eBay) had a mintage of 160,000 pieces, but the survival rate was low. The pieces are now rare in all grades and extremely rare in grades About Uncirculated and finer.
The major grading services have certified fewer than ten examples in Mint State. These pieces infrequently appear at auction. An example graded PCGS MS65+ with CAC verification sold for $37,600 in 2017.
Coin Specifications
- Designer: Christian Gobrecht
- Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
- Weight: 1.34 grams
- Diameter: 15.5 mm
- Edge: Reeded
