1853-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar: No Arrows - No Rays

The 1853-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar is a fascinating coin that holds significance in American numismatic history.

One of the distinguishing features of this coin is the absence of arrows and rays, which were typically added to the design in response to changes in the weight of the coin.

The Seated Liberty design, created by Christian Gobrecht, features a depiction of Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield in her right hand and a pole with a Liberty cap on top in her left hand.

The design symbolizes freedom and unity, with the reverse featuring a heraldic eagle with a shield on its chest, clutching arrows and an olive branch.

In 1853, the weight of the silver coins was reduced under the Coinage Act of that year, leading to modifications in the design of certain denominations.

For the Seated Liberty Half Dollar, arrows were added to the obverse design to signify the reduction in weight, and rays were added to the reverse to denote the new composition.

However, not all mint facilities implemented these design changes immediately. The New Orleans Mint, represented by the "O" mint mark, continued to strike the Seated Liberty Half Dollar without arrows or rays in 1853, making the coins from this mint unique among their counterparts from other facilities.

As with any rare coin, the value of the 1856-O Coronet Head Gold $20 Double Eagle depends on factors such as its condition, rarity, and demand among collectors.

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