1854 H10C Liberty Seated Half Dime, Arrows at Date NGC MS66

Save over $1,000 off the Collector’s Universe price when you purchase this coin!

Here’s a richly toned piece to add to your collection. It is near the top of NGC’s graded population. NGC has graded 20 as MS66 with only 7 finer. Collector’s Universe prices this issue at $2,400.00 in MS66.

The vast amount of gold being mined during the California Gold Rush (1848-1855) resulted in the value of silver rising. Therefore, silver coins became worth more than their face value and gradually disappeared from everyday commerce. After a few years of this, the U.S. Congress drafted and passed a new Mint Act in 1853 which lowered the weight of Half Dimes (as well as other silver coinage) in response to the change in silver value. To announce the weight change, the U.S. Mint added arrows on both sides of the date, which made it easy for consumers to identify the new coins. The arrows appeared on half dimes (and other denominations) from 1853 to 1855.

One of Christian Gobrecht’s original sketches of his iconic Seated Liberty design. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.