Numismatic

1853 Liberty Seated Half Dime w/Arrows XF

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In 1853, the United States Mint produced a silver five-cent coin that captured the artistic spirit of a growing nation. This half dime, struck with a silver purity of 0.900, represents a fascinating era in American coinage. The piece contains 0.0359 troy ounces of silver, making it a delicate yet highly detailed example of mid-nineteenth-century minting. The obverse features the iconic depiction of Liberty seated. She rests upon a rock, holding a staff topped with a liberty cap in one hand while her other hand supports a shield inscribed with the word LIBERTY. Small arrows flank the 1853 date at the bottom, a distinctive design variation unique to this period. On the reverse, a simple yet elegant wreath wraps around the center of the coin. Inside this wreath, the denomination is clearly spelled out as HALF DIME. Surrounding the wreath are the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, framing the central design. This particular specimen survives in Extra Fine condition, preserving the fine lines and textures of Christian Gobrecht's celebrated design work.