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1853 Arrows Liberty Seated Half Dollar

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:75.00 - 150.00 USD
1853 Arrows Liberty Seated Half Dollar
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The huge discoveries of gold in California in 1848 and then Australia shortly afterward drove down the price of this metal in relation to silver, for which there had as yet been any significant finds in the United States. The result was that a silver dollar soon became worth several cents more than a gold dollar, and this same condition applied proportionately to the fractional silver coins. No longer able to circulate at par, the silver pieces were either hoarded or sent overseas to be melted for their bullion value. Some found their ways to Canada and Latin America, where the scarcity of circulating coin trumped the modest discrepancy in market values.

To distinguish the new issue of fractional silver coins the Mint added opposed arrowheads at either side of the date. The quarter dollar and half dollar were further marked with a glory of rays around the eagle. Since these two features are found placed exactly on each and every coin, it is evident that the Mint created a new master die for both sides. This spared the Engraving Department having to hand punch the additional features into each working die.