1853 Seated Liberty Half Dollar - Arrows and Rays
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$94,000 MS66+ 07-17-2015 Stack's Bowers
Description
The 1853 Seated Liberty Half Dollar - Arrows and Rays, struck at the Philadelphia Mint, is part of the Seated Liberty Half Dollars 1839-1891 collection. The U.S. Mint produced 3.5 million examples, making this the highest mintage among 3 variants, accounting for 73% of the year's 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 mark the weight reduction. The 1853-O "No Arrows" is extremely rare with only four known. The Philadelphia Mint, America's oldest coin-making facility, has struck coins continuously since 1792. Estimated market value ranges from $83 to $3.7K depending on grade and condition. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 12.4 grams, 30 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #6275.
External References
Error Varieties(1)
Other Strike Types in This Series
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