1853 Seated Liberty Dime - The 1st Arrow

The Seated Liberty half dimes were the last silver half dimes produced. The design features Liberty seated on a rock and holding a shield and was first designed in 1835, struck first on the silver dollar patterns of 1836.

The half dime series is divided into several subtypes. The first was struck at Philadelphia in 1837 and New Orleans in 1838 and lacks stars on the obverse. In 1838 a semicircle of 13 stars was added around the obverse border, and this basic design was used through 1859. In 1853, small arrows were added to each side of the date to reflect a reduction in weight due to rising silver prices, and the arrows remained in place through 1855. The arrows were dropped in 1856, with the earlier design resumed through 1859. In 1860, the obverse stars were replaced with the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the reverse wreath was enlarged. This design stayed in place through the end of the series.