Numismatic

1853 Liberty Seated Half Dollar w/Arrows & Rays Good

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The year 1853 marked a highly unusual and visually striking moment for United States coinage, beautifully captured in this Liberty Seated half dollar. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this silver piece contains 0.3575 troy ounces of 90 percent pure silver. It represents a brief window in American numismatic design, easily identified by the distinctive arrows flanking the date on the obverse and the dramatic rays surrounding the eagle on the reverse. What makes this specific issue so compelling is the short-lived nature of its design. While the arrows next to the date remained for a short time, the radiant rays on the reverse were deemed a temporary addition and were completely removed starting in 1854. This makes the 1853 half dollar a single-year design type, highly sought after by those who study the evolution of American coin artistry. Despite showing honest wear consistent with its Good grade, the coin still clearly displays its essential features. The obverse showcases the classic seated figure of Liberty above the 1853 date, while the reverse features the national eagle surrounded by those famous, fleeting rays of light, accompanied by the denomination abbreviated as HALF DOL.