A survey of 19th century business strike coin
50C SEATED LIBERTY, WITH ARROWS (1873-1874)

Owner Comments:

In 1873 weights for the silver dime, quarter and half dollar were slightly increased to bring them up to an even number using the Metric System. The half dollar's weight was increased from 12.44 to 12.50 grams. This adjustment was indicated on the coin by placing arrows at each end of the date. These markings appeared in 1873 and ’74 and were dropped in 1875. Interestingly the weights for these three silver coins would remain the same until the Coinage Act of 1965 changed the composition of these three denominations.

An economic recession that was known as the Panic of 1873 reduced economic activity when these “with arrows” coins were issued. As a result the mintages were low for these coins, which make them scarce today.