1853 50C Arrows and Rays MS64 PCGS....

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Evenly Toned MS64 1853 Arrows and Rays Half

1853 50C Arrows and Rays MS64 PCGS. Many numismatists and collectors are unaware that while the 1853 Arrows and Rays coinage signifies a proportional weight decrease, their counterparts from 1873, the Arrows coinage, actually signified a weight increase. An 1852-dated half dollar weighed 13.36 gm, while an 1853 Arrows half weighed 12.44 gm, and an 1873 Arrows half weighed 12.50 gm. The 1853 weight reduction was dictated because silver became overvalued in terms of gold or paper currency, due to the California Gold Rush. But the 1873 weight increase basically reflected the increasing influence of Western silver-mining interests, seeking new domestic and international uses for silver. The half dollar thus saw a metric-equivalent weight of exactly 12.5% of 100 gm, or 11.25 gm of pure silver.
While an available coin in lower grades, Arrows and Rays halves are scarce in near-Gem and finer condition, in addition to being highly popular with type collectors. This piece lacks the often-seen heavy toning; instead the surfaces show an even layer of reddish patina over each side. The devices are sharply struck, except on the upper obverse stars. Each side is die clashed, but there are few other interruptions in the surface of this lovely coin.
From The Good Harbour Bay Collection.(Registry values: N4719)

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

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