1853 Liberty Seated Half Dime. Arrows. MS-65 (PCGS). CAC.This highly lustrous Gem exhibits a lovely blend of frosty mint luster and iridescent champagne-pink toning. Both sides are sharply to fully struck despite the advanced die state (see below), the surfaces expectably smooth for the assigned grade with eye appeal to spare. This is a beautiful premium quality Gem that is sure to please the discerning collector.<p>The half dime was one of the denominations affected by the wholesale weight reductions introduced to United States silver coinage through the Act of February 21, 1853. The new weight standard for the half dime was 1.24 grams, as opposed to 1.34 grams for preceding issues produced beginning in 1829. The weight reduction was introduced to return these coins to active circulation in the Eastern states, from where they had disappeared through hoarding (along with other fractional silver coins) as the price of silver rose in response to the vast quantities of gold being mined in California during the Gold Rush. In essence, silver had become scarce relative to gold in the market of the early 1850s, and old tenor pieces were quickly removed from circulation as their bullion value exceeded face value. The Act of February 21, 1853, reduced the weight of the half dime and other fractional silver coins to the point where they could circulate once again. As with the dime, quarter, and half dollar, a distinguishing feature was required to identify the new lighter weight half dimes from their old tenor predecessors and arrows were added to the obverse before and after the date, a design element that would remain in use through 1855.<p><p>This intriguing coin is struck from a late state of the dies, both sides with roughness and flowlines in the fields that point to advanced die erosion. Both sides are also heavily clashed, the obverse in the field around Libertys portrait and the reverse within the wreath at the letters F in HALF and ME in DIME, as well as at the letters ATES O in the legend.<p>PCGS# 4356. NGC ID: 233Y.From the Henry Collection of Liberty Seated Half Dimes.
