1853 Proof Seated Liberty Quarter - Arrows & Rays

Coin Details

Auction Record

$166,750 PR67 04-28-2010 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1853 Proof Seated Liberty Quarter - Arrows & Rays is a proof quarter struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Seated Liberty Quarters 1838-1891 series. With a mintage of 5, this is an extremely rare issue — the lowest mintage among 6 mint variants, representing only less than 1% of total production. The obverse features Liberty seated on a rock, holding a pole surmounted by a Phrygian liberty cap in her left hand and a shield inscribed LIBERTY in her right and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. Arrows at date and rays on reverse indicate weight reduction. The rays were removed after one year. As a proof issue, this coin was struck multiple times on specially prepared polished planchets using polished dies, producing mirror-like fields and frosted design elements prized by collectors. Struck at the original U.S. Mint facility, in continuous operation since 1792. Auction record: $166,750 PR67 04-28-2010 Heritage Auctions. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 6.2 grams, 24.3 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #5548.