1853 50C ARR & RAYS

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Jun 1, 2001 for:

Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

Gem Arrows and Rays Half, NGC Certified

1853 50C Arrows and Rays MS 65 NGC. Since U.S. silver coins had been hoarded and melted for many years, Congress finally acted in early 1853 to cease this unnecessary drain on the nation's annual production of coinage. The weight of subsidiary silver coins was reduced, thus discouraging hoarding and melting, and at the same time encouraging circulation of silver coins struck on the new (lighter) weight standard. Mint Director George N. Eckert placed the lighter half dollars of that year into circulation with as little delay as possible. In order to distinguish these new silver coins from their old tenor counterparts, arrows were placed on each side of the date and rays were added to the reverse. Although a beautifully modified design, the extra features caused die life to plummet to one-third of its pre-1853 level. When James Ross Snowden entered office the next year he eliminated the rays from the reverse of the half and quarter in an attempt to extend die life. As a result, the Arrows and Rays design can only be found on these two denominations in this one year.
The striking details on this piece are fully defined in all areas and there are no signs of die cracks from an overused die. Soft mint luster covers both sides with pale rose tinted patina noted--a pleasing switch from the deep, oppressive toning that is often seen on Arrows and Rays halves. Population: 11 in 65, 8 finer (3/01).

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 27TV, PCGS# 6275, GSID# 6271)

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 12.44 grams
ASW: 0.35996oz
Mintage: 3,532,708

View Certification Details from NGC