1853 Liberty Seated Quarter. Arrows and Rays. MS-67 (PCGS). CAC. Gorgeous multicolored toning is seen on both sides, with the most vivid shades at and near the borders. Lovely mint luster is evident throughout, as is razor sharp to full striking detail. Here is an exceptional Superb Gem worthy of the strongest bids.The huge quantities of gold coming from California beginning in 1849 drove up the price of silver relative to gold. This led to a cycle of speculation, resulting in the melting of many minor silver coins, significantly impacting the supply of them in commerce. To counteract this, Congress passed the Act of February 21, 1853, which reduced the weights of the minor silver denominations, but left the silver dollar unchanged. The quarters weight dropped from 103.125 grains (6.6 grams) to 96.000 grains (6.22 grams), significant enough to help staunch the flow of coins into the crucible. The change in standard was marked by the addition of arrows at either side of the date of all affected denominations and a halo of rays surrounding the eagle on the reverse on the quarter and half dollar. The Philadelphia Mint struck over 15 million Arrows and Rays quarters in 1853 using more than 100 obverse and reverse dies. This would prove to be the only year of issue for the type as the rays were removed the following year.The 1853 quarters were regularly seen in circulation until the 1930s and were specifically left off of many dealer want lists. Seen as a common date, it was frequently ignored even in the very highest preservation levels, so that while there are several thousand extant pieces, most are circulated. While a decent number of Mint State specimens exist they are predominantly at the lower end of the scale. So while this is one of the most available Liberty Seated quarter issues, it is decidedly rare at the Gem level and finer. The Pogue coin is at the very peak of perfection for the issue. From the D. Brent Pogue Collection.
