Numismatic

1853 Liberty Seated Half Dollar w/Arrows & Rays AG

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The 1853 Liberty Seated half dollar represents a brief and fascinating chapter in United States coinage. Struck in 90% fine silver at the Philadelphia Mint, this fifty-cent piece contains approximately 0.3599 troy ounces of precious metal. It is highly distinguished by a design element that appeared for only a single year on this denomination, making it an incredibly distinct issue for observers of early American currency. On the reverse side of the coin, a series of dramatic rays emanate outward behind the central eagle. This radiant detailing was quickly abandoned, as mint officials removed the rays from the reverse design starting in 1854. The obverse features the classic Liberty Seated motif, accompanied by arrows flanking the date. Despite its heavily circulated Almost Good condition, the coin still clearly showcases the remnants of this unique 1853 design combination, which saw a total mintage of 3,532,708 pieces before the design was permanently altered.