1854 Proof Seated Liberty Half Dollar - Arrows

Coin Details

Auction Record

Description

The 1854 Proof Seated Liberty Half Dollar - Arrows is a proof half dollar struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Seated Liberty Half Dollars 1839-1891 series. The Mint did not record how many 1854 proof half dollars it struck; proof mintages were not kept before 1858. 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. Struck during the California Gold Rush era, when vast quantities of western gold transformed the American economy and led to new denominations. 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: $70,500 PR67 11-15-2013 Heritage Auctions. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 12.44 grams, 30.6 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #6407.