Numismatic

1853 Liberty Seated Quarter w/Arrows & Rays XF

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The year 1853 marked a distinctive moment for United States coinage, beautifully captured in this silver quarter dollar. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this twenty-five cent piece is composed of 90 percent silver, containing approximately 0.1788 troy ounces of the precious metal. It represents a fascinating era in American numismatic design, showcasing intricate details that remain visible even after more than a century and a half. On the obverse, the figure of Liberty is depicted sitting upon a rock, her gaze directed toward the left. In her hand, she holds a staff topped by a Phrygian cap, a traditional symbol of freedom. This central figure is encircled by thirteen stars, representing the original colonies, with the date 1853 positioned clearly at the bottom. This particular year is highly recognizable due to the arrows placed on either side of the date. The reverse of the coin presents a powerful eagle with a shield draped across its chest. The bird faces left, clutching an olive branch in one talon and a trio of arrows in the other. Surrounding the eagle are rays that radiate outward, a design feature unique to this specific year of production. The surrounding inscription reads STATES OF AMERICA and QUAR. DOL., confirming its denomination in a beautifully compact format.