Circulated Liberty Seated Half Dimes by Date, Part 2: 1853 to 1859

It is actually much harder to build a set of Liberty Seated half dimes dating from 1853 to 1873 than it is to build a set dating from 1837 to 1853. Time and patience is required to find fairly priced, appealing representatives of several rare dates. Excepting the unique 1870-S, a complete set ‘by date’ of naturally toned, pleasant coins is a very realistic objective, though a challenging project that may require years. The focus here is on half dimes of the ‘With Arrows’ type dating from 1853 to ’55 and on the half dimes minted from 1856 to 1859, after the mint returned to the ‘Stars Obverse – With Drapery, No Arrows’ design type.

Half Dime Type #8 – Liberty Seated, With Arrows (1853-55)

Arrows were added to indicate a reduction in weight and corresponding silver content. During the early 1850s, U.S. citizens were hoarding silver coins, and policymakers wished for more coins to be used in commerce. The relative market value of silver had risen due to increases in the supply of gold, mostly from substantial finds in the West. The arrows reminded people that new half dimes, dimes, quarters and half dollars each contained less silver than they did before. People were reminded so that they would be more likely to spend new silver coins than to save them. 

Of the ‘With Arrows’ type, there are only six dates: 1853, 1853-O, 1854, 1854-O, 1855, and 1855-O. The 1853-O is rare. The 1854-O is probably very rare and the 1855-O is definitely very rare. As pointed out in the guide to collecting half dimes ‘by design type’ the 1853 ‘With Arrows’ is the least scarce date of this three year type. 

On August 23, 2020, GreatCollections sold a NGC graded VG-10 1853-O ‘With Arrows’ half dime for $32. On May 20, 2018, GreatCollections sold a PCGS graded VF-25 1853-O ‘With Arrows’ half dime for $46.12. On November 5, 2019, Heritage sold a PCGS graded XF-45 coin for $138. While none of these three had CAC stickers, the just cited prices realized seem rather reasonable for rare and historically important coins, from a logical perspective. 

It is fairly easy to acquire an 1854. On March 29, 2020, David Lawrence sold a PCGS graded Fine-12 1854 for $31. This coin does not have a CAC sticker. It is typically not worthwhile for a dealer to send a $30 coin to CAC. It is curious that a PCGS fee was paid.

Public Sales of 1854 Liberty Seated Half Dimes

On January 24, 2021, GreatCollections sold a NGC graded XF-45 1854 for $74.25. On June 10, 2020, Stack’s-Bowers sold a CAC approved AU-58 1854 half dime for $156. 

As of February 18, 2021, CAC has approved only sixteen 1854-O half dimes. Not many circulated 1854-O half dimes have been submitted. 

Of the ‘With Arrows’ type, most of the half dimes that have CAC stickers grade above AU-55. In theory, a CAC approved VG to Fine grade 1854-O would retail for less than $30. Since only one 1854-O half dime grading below AU-55 has been CAC approved, collectors should not spend much time searching for a circulated 1854-O with a CAC sticker. 

In 2020, GreatCollections sold two PCGS graded VF-35 1854-O half dimes, for $135 on July 12 and for $51.75 on February 9. To comment on this inconsistency in prices realized, I would need to examine these two 1854-O half dimes in actuality. Also, without knowing the thoughts in the respective minds of leading bidders, it is often impossible to know for certain why individual coins realize particular prices. 

On January 26, 2021, Heritage sold a PCGS graded XF-45 1854-O half dime, without a CAC sticker, for $109. On September 22, 2019, the firm of David Lawrence sold a CAC approved AU-55 1854-O for $275. 

Public Sales of 1855 Liberty Seated Half Dimes

All 1855 half dimes have arrows on the obverse. Price guides suggest that a raw 1855 in Good grade would retail for less than $20. On September 18, 2019, Stack’s-Bowers sold a PCGS graded XF-45 1855, without a CAC sticker, for $70. 

The CPG and Greysheet publications maintain that 1853, 1854 and 1855 ‘With Arrows’ half dimes are all valued the same in grades below MS-65. I assert that the 1853 is less costly, less scarce and easier to obtain. The 1855 is or should be worth a slight premium over an 1854. 

CAC has approved one hundred and fifty-eight 1853 ‘With Arrows’ half dimes, seventy-two 1854 half dimes and just twenty-seven 1855 half dimes. On January 21, 2020, Heritage sold a CAC approved, AU-58 grade 1855 for $215. 

The 1855-O is certainly the ‘best date’ of the ‘With Arrows’ type, and is rare. From a logical perspective, it is perhaps undervalued. Moreover, it is very difficult to find a circulated 1855-O with a CAC sticker. Of a mere sixteen CAC approved 1855-O half dimes, just four are certified as grading below AU-58. 

On May 8, 2019, Heritage sold a PCGS graded VF-30 1855-O, without a CAC sticker, for $104. On January 21, 2020, Heritage sold a CAC approved, PCGS graded AU-53 1855-O for $201.60. 

It is easy to acquire half dimes of all six dates of this ‘With Arrows’ design type for fair prices. Really pleasant, technically impressive, Very Fine to Extremely Fine grade coins, however, are not easy to find.

Resumption of Type #7 – Liberty Seated, With Stars, With Drapery, No Arrows

While these are of the design that was employed from 1840 to 1853, they were later required to be produced in accordance with the lighter weight standard that was implemented by way of the Coinage Act of 1853 due to an increase in the relative market value of silver. Logically, half dimes dating from 1856 to 1859 should have arrows, too, as the arrows were indicative of the lighter weight standard that was effected in 1853 so that people would be less likely to hoard U.S. silver coins. U.S. Mint Director James Snowden, however, ordered that the arrows be removed from the obverse designs of half dimes, dimes, quarters and half dollars. 

For 1858 Philadelphia Mint half dimes, there are varieties relating to the numerals. During the 19th century, it was not unusual for U.S. Mint personnel to make mistakes while punching numerals into dies. The consequences of most such mistakes are not very noticeable. 

On two varieties of 1858 half dimes, the remnants of an “inverted date” or underlying numerals are slightly noticeable under five-times magnification. A coin expert may detect such anomalies even without magnification, but these are really of interest to collectors who seek representative coins struck from each die pairing. For a collector assembling a set ‘by date,’ one 1858 Philadelphia Mint half dime is all that is required. The 1858 varieties are really just minor minting anomalies.

Anthony Paquet Engravings and Designs

For Philadelphia Mint 1859 half dimes, engraver Anthony Paquet was responsible for a modification of the then current obverse design. The design elements are extremely similar, yet Paquet engraved them in his own style. Numerals, letters, stars and contours in Miss Liberty’s gown are all stylistically distinct. With a magnifying glass, it becomes apparent that many of the design elements on the obverse of 1859 half dimes are clearly very different from the work of other engravers at the mint. 

Anthony Paquet’s forms are unmistakable, though were not embraced by decision makers at the time. He is responsible for the somewhat distinctive double eagle reverse that was employed briefly for the striking of double eagles in 1861. More than one hundred and fifty 1861-S double eagles and two Philadelphia Mint 1861 double eagles with the Paquet reverse are known in the present. 

Paquet designed several patterns that are extant. He designed medals, too. Obtaining an 1859 half dime would be an inexpensive way of acquiring a true coin that is reflective of his work, though the obverse of 1859 half dimes really incorporates modifications by Paquet of Gobrecht-Hughes-Longacre elements rather than the use of Paquet’s own imagination. 

There are 1859 and 1860 half dime patterns that pair Paquet’s version of the type #7 obverse with the reverse of type #9 half dimes, resulting in pieces that lack the legend, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” While these are sometimes called transitional pieces, it is clear that they are not coins and are not required for sets of half dimes. They tend to be sought after by collectors of patterns.

Public Sales of 1856 to 1859 Liberty Seated Half Dimes

The 1856 to 1859 Philadelphia Mint dates are all worth about the same. Most dealers do not send circulated 1856 to 1858 half dimes to CAC, because they do not find submissions to be cost effective from a business standpoint. Many are not even sent to PCGS or NGC. 

Late in 2020 or early in 2021, a Good-04 grade 1856, 1857 or 1858 half dime would likely have wholesaled for around $12 and retailed for less than $20. A VF-20 grade 1856, 1857, 1858 or 1859 half dime would probably wholesale for around $20 and retail for around $30. 

On April 22, 2018, the firm of David Lawrence sold a PCGS graded XF-45 1856 for $75. On August 11, 2019, GreatCollections sold a CAC approved AU-55 1857 for $166.48. 

New Orleans Mint half dimes, 1856-O, 1857-O, 1858-O and 1859-O, tend to be worth from 30% to 65% more than their just mentioned Philadelphia Mint counterparts of equivalent quality. Decent half dimes of these dates are usually available every year. 

On November 5, 2019, Heritage sold a PCGS graded XF-40 1856-O for $79. On July 26, 2020, GreatCollections sold a different PCGS graded XF-40 1856-O for $147.38. On August 9, 2020, GreatCollections sold a CAC approved, NGC graded AU-53 1858-O for $218.11, well above estimated values in price guides. Overall, it is easy and inexpensive to collect half dimes from the 1850s. Half dimes of the 1860s are a different matter.

Greg has carefully examined thousands of truly rare and conditionally rare classic U.S. coins, including a majority of the most famous rarities. He is also an expert in British coins. He is available for private consultations.