1854 50C Arrows (1854 Arrows Half Dollar) PCGS MS64. This near gem, lustrous, mint state Arrows 1854 Half Dollar is toned with shades of russet, violet, and a touch of rainbow on the reverse. The strike is above average with full details seen on most of the stars, Liberty’s head, the word LIBERTY, and the lower left of the eagle. Of course no wear is seen, as expected for a mint state coin. The surfaces are original, clean, and free of individual distractions worthy of mention.

In the early 1850’s gold and sliver began disappearing from circulation because the intrinsic metal was worth more than the face value of the coins. Mint Director George Eckert proposed that the weights of silver coins be lowered to remove the profit in melting them. Congress passed an act and the weight of half dollars was reduced from 13.36 grams to 12.44. To easily distinguish the new coins, arrows were added at the date and rays surrounded the eagle. However, it is theorized that adding rays to the reverse weakened the dies and reduced the die life. Consequently, the new Mint Director, James R. Snowden, had the rays removed while continuing the arrows at the date for two years. Thus the two-year type coin Arrows, No Motto was created.

The coin was designed by Christian Gobrecht. After William Kneass, the Mint Director suffered a debilitating stroke, Gobrecht did all the die and pattern work for the Mint. He became Chief Engraver in 1840 and served until his death in 1844. He was famous for his Liberty Seated motif which was used for all denominations of sliver coinage including the half-dime, dime, quarter dollar, half dollar and sliver dollar. He also designed the Liberty Head gold eagle, a motif that was also used on the half-cent, the cent, the gold quarter eagle, and the gold half eagle.

In its population report, PCGS shows 30 “Arrows” 1854 fifty cent pieces in MS64 condition, which is tied for third finest, with 10 better.