1853 25C Arrows and Rays MS67 NGC. For several years ...

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The Arrows and Rays Quarter: The Solution To A Shortage Of Fractional Coinage, A Superb Gem Example

1853 25C Arrows and Rays MS67 NGC. For several years leading up to 1853 U.S. silver coins were worth more melted than in their coined form. This was good for bullion dealers at the time as it provided them with an "endless chain" of profit. However, it was distinctly bad for other commercial interests and common people who needed small denomination coinage to make change in their everyday transactions. For commercial usage in the early part of 1853, quarters were best suited by default as half dimes and dimes were too cumbersome to pay off debts and half dollars were not struck until May 21. As a result, after the Act of February 21, 1853 was passed to remedy the situation, the Mint was closed to visitors and the coinage of copper was suspended. By the middle of April the Director was able to offer coins for sale, and in the first few weeks only quarters were sold as they bridged the gap between the three cent silver and the gold dollar.
These new quarters weighed 96 grains, compared to the former 103 1/8 grain weight. To denote the reduction in weight arrowheads were placed on each side of the date and rays were placed around the reverse. This design format lasted only one year, with a reminder of the reduced weight carried on through 1855 with arrowheads only. More than 15 million quarters were struck of the Arrows and Rays design and they were a smashing success. One Philadelphia paper reported that the Mint had "fully overcome the complaint among the small dealers of a want of change." The new coins served their purpose excellently. For the first time since the establishment of the Mint in 1793 the nation had an adequate supply of fractional coins of uniform quality.
This particular piece is one of the finest examples extant of this one-year type. All too often found with heavily toned surfaces, this is a brilliant coin with silky-smooth, satin-like mint luster. Fully struck throughout, each side is nearly abrasion-free. Both obverse and reverse display a granular texture around the margins from metal flow in those areas. Population: 4 in 67, 0 finer (7/04).(#5426) (Registry values: P5)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 23U4, PCGS# 5426, GSID# 5124)

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 6.22 grams
ASW: 0.20oz
Mintage: 15,210,020

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