1873 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows. WB-106. Large Arrows. MS-64 (PCGS).Handsome near-Gem quality for this brief and conditionally challenging design type of the Liberty Seated half dollar. The obverse is the more richly toned of the two sides, bathed in a blend of sandy-olive, pewter gray and cobalt blue. For the reverse we note iridescent pinkish-silver and reddish-apricot toning. Modestly semi-prooflike in finish, especially on the latter side, with a sharply executed strike. The weight of the half dollar was once again modified in 1873 when the Act of February 12 mandated an increase from 12.44 grams to 12.50 grams. The Mint once again decided to add arrows to the obverse before and after the date for coins struck to the new weight standard. This second Arrows Liberty Seated half dollar type remained in production only in 1873 and 1874, after which the basic Motto type returned, albeit with the weight standard as mandated in 1873.pThe Arrows type of 1873 to 1874 is more challenging to locate than its predecessor of 1854 to 1855, in all grades, both circulated and Mint State. The first year 1873 is slightly scarcer than its 1874-dated Philadelphia Mint counterpart, especially in the finest Mint State grades, as here. A find for the advanced type collector.
