1853 Seated Liberty Half Dollar w/ Arrows and Rays - VG Details (Dark)
Add one of the most distinctive one-year design types of the Liberty Seated Half Dollar series to your collection with this 1853 Liberty Seated Half Dollar with Arrows & Rays in Very Good (VG) Details – Dark condition. Struck from 90% silver and 10% copper, this historic half dollar represents an important change in U.S. silver coinage during the mid-19th century.
Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the obverse features Liberty seated on a rock beside a Union shield inscribed LIBERTY, with arrows positioned on either side of the 1853 date. The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with a shield on its chest, surrounded by a distinctive pattern of rays.
The Arrows & Rays design was introduced in 1853 to identify silver coins struck under a newly reduced weight standard. While the arrows continued on half dollars in 1854 and 1855, the rays were removed after 1853, making the Arrows & Rays combination a popular one-year subtype for collectors.
In Very Good (VG) Details condition, this coin exhibits considerable circulation wear while retaining recognizable major design elements. Liberty's figure, date and arrows, reverse eagle, rays, denomination, and portions of the surrounding lettering remain visible.
This example is described as Dark, indicating significant dark toning, discoloration, or surface coloration. The Details designation indicates that the coin has a surface impairment that prevents it from receiving a straight numerical grade. Despite its darker appearance and surface condition, it remains an appealing and affordable example of this historic one-year design.
Photo Disclaimer: The image shown is a representative stock photo. You will receive an 1853 Liberty Seated Half Dollar with Arrows & Rays – VG Details (Dark), but it may not be the exact coin pictured. Each coin will vary in toning, darkness, discoloration, wear, surface characteristics, and overall appearance consistent with the stated Details condition.
