Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issue Dates: 1873-1874
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Diameter: 30.6 mm
Weight: 12.5 grams (192.90 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 5,070,310
Proof Mintage: 1,250
The Liberty Seated Half Dollar with Arrows at the Date (1873–1874) represents ... Read More
Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
Issue Dates: 1873-1874
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Diameter: 30.6 mm
Weight: 12.5 grams (192.90 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 5,070,310
Proof Mintage: 1,250
The Liberty Seated Half Dollar with Arrows at the Date (1873–1874) represents a short-lived but historically important subtype within the broader Seated Liberty series. This design modification was introduced partway through 1873 to reflect a minor yet officially mandated increase in the coin’s weight—from 192 grains to 192.9 grains, or exactly 12.50 grams.
To signify this revision, small arrowheads were added to each side of the date, a visual distinction that clearly separates these issues from earlier and later types. While the rest of the design remains consistent with the 1866–1891 Liberty Seated “With Motto” format, this arrowed-date variety is collected as a separate type by specialists and type set builders alike.
Obverse: Miss Liberty seated on a rock, holding a liberty cap on a pole in her left hand and a shield inscribed LIBERTY in her right; 13 stars above and the date flanked by arrowheads below.
Reverse: Heraldic eagle clutching an olive branch and arrows, with IN GOD WE TRUST inscribed on a scroll above. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOL. complete the legend.
Coins were struck at Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Carson City.
The Philadelphia Mint produced the largest quantity during these years, making these issues the most accessible for type collectors.
The 1874-CC half dollar, with a reported mintage of just 59,000 coins, is a key rarity and extremely difficult to locate in all grades.
Good to Very Fine examples are generally available with ease.
Extremely Fine coins are quite scarce, and AU examples are notably elusive.
Uncirculated coins are rare, with superb Mint State examples being truly exceptional and highly sought after.
Proofs were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in limited numbers and survive in roughly proportional quantities.
Distinct short-lived subtype indicating a key legislative change in silver coinage
Last appearance of the arrows design feature in the Seated Half series
Contains one of the rarest business strike Carson City issues (1874-CC)
Attractive to type collectors, registry participants, and Liberty Seated specialists
Scarce in higher grades, offering excellent long-term collectability
For serious collectors building a complete Liberty Seated type set—or those focused on transitional design changes in U.S. silver coinage—the 1873–1874 Arrows at Date Half Dollar is an essential addition.
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