Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issue Dates: 1853-1855
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Diameter: 17.9 mm
Weight: 2.49 grams (38.42 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 21,493,010
Proof Mintage: Fewer than 150

Liberty Seated Dimes with Arrows – Weight Reduction Type (1853–1855)

The 1853–1855 Liberty Seated dime with arrows at the date marks a transitional subtype in American silver coinage. Due to rising silver prices in the early ... Read More

Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issue Dates: 1853-1855
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Diameter: 17.9 mm
Weight: 2.49 grams (38.42 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 21,493,010
Proof Mintage: Fewer than 150

Liberty Seated Dimes with Arrows – Weight Reduction Type (1853–1855)

The 1853–1855 Liberty Seated dime with arrows at the date marks a transitional subtype in American silver coinage. Due to rising silver prices in the early 1850s, the intrinsic metal value of U.S. silver coins began exceeding face value, leading to widespread hoarding and melting.

To counteract this, Congress authorized a reduction in weight, and the U.S. Mint responded by placing arrowheads on either side of the date to indicate the new standard—2.49 grams, down from 2.67 grams. Aside from the arrows, the core Liberty Seated design—Liberty seated on a rock, holding a pole and shield—remained unchanged.

Why Collect This Type:

✅ Short-Lived Transitional Design (Only 3 Years: 1853–1855)
✅ Visual Indicator of Major U.S. Mint Policy Shift
✅ Crucial Addition to Any Liberty Seated Type Set
✅ 1853 Philadelphia Issue Readily Available – Ideal Entry Point
Rarity & Availability:

1853 (Philadelphia): Over 12 million struck; the most commonly seen issue of this subtype.
1853–1855 New Orleans & San Francisco Mint dimes: Produced in far lower quantities and are scarcer, especially in higher grades.
Uncirculated examples are elusive, and true Gem (MS65+) coins are very rare. Most offerings are found in Good to Extremely Fine condition, with AU specimens occasionally available to collectors.
These arrow-at-date dimes remain in strong demand among type set collectors and early U.S. silver enthusiasts for their affordability, historical relevance, and visual distinctiveness.

Available Grades:

We offer certified examples from PCGS and NGC in:

Good to Very Fine (G4–VF30)
Extremely Fine (EF40–EF45)
About Uncirculated (AU50–AU58)
Mint State (MS60+) when available
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Add an Arrows-at-Date Liberty Seated Dime to Your Collection
Whether you're building a U.S. silver type set, filling an important Liberty Seated dime variety, or investing in a short-run transitional design, the 1853–1855 Liberty Seated Dime with Arrows is a key piece of American coinage history.Browse available inventory now or contact us to locate a specific mintmark or condition.